Consequences of Bo-HV1 infection in cattle

BoHV-1 affects animal health and productivity causing significant economic losses to cattle producers. However, nowadays its main significance is as a barrier to the export of live cattle to other regions or countries within Europe which have already eradicated the disease.

BoHV-1 is found in many European countries. Countries free of BoHV-1 can impose restrictions on the import of cattle and cattle products, as the introduction of BoHV-1 into these countries can lead to major outbreaks of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis.

In the EU directives have been made stipulating conditions for the import of cattle, semen and embryos. For information on the prevalence of Bo-HV1 in the EU see IBR eradication in Europe.