Ephemeral Fever in cattle and buffalo wth treatment and prevention

Introduction 

The disease occurs suddenly in cattle and lasts for 3 days so the disease is called Three days Sickness.Although the rate of infection is high,the death rate is low.

Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) is a disease that affects cattle and occasionally buffaloes and is marked by a short fever, shivering, lameness and muscular stiffness. Also commonly known as 3 day sickness, BEF is an arthropod-borne virus (most likely mosquitoes) and widespread in Queensland.

Cause

BEF is a viral disease of cattle and buffalo caused by the virus known as Rhabdovirus.

Transmission

Transmitted through Mosquitoes and biting midges.

Clinical findings 

-High fever (103-1060 F)

-The animal breath frequently 

-Has a bloated stomach

-Pain in joints

-Stands with their backs arched and head held low,muzzles extended drooling saliva.

-Lameness

-Anorexia and weakness 

-Nasal and ocular discharge 

-Coughs incompletely 

-Decrease milk production

Post Mortem examination 

Post-mortem examination is important to rule out other acute febrile diseases that often occur under the same conditions, such as tick fever. Post-mortem examination can either show small amounts of fibrin-rich fluid, or occasionally, an excess of pinkish to blood stained fluid in the heart sac, chest and abdominal cavities, and joint capsules.  Lesions in the lungs may be present in severe cases.

Diagnosis

Based on history,clinical sign-symptoms and postmortem examination.

Treatment 

• Nonsteroid Anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAID) and symptomatic treatment  have been shown to reduce the course of the disease. 
• Consult your veterinarian for an appropriate anti-inflammatory drug, considering the withholding period of the drug for meat and milk.
• Most animals will recover if given water, shade and food.

Prevention and control

There is a modified live vaccine for BEF that provides long-lasting protection. A 2-part vaccine - freeze-dried vaccine with chilled liquid adjuvant - that must be mixed prior to administering, it provides good levels of protection against BEF. While some cattle might still develop mild disease after vaccination, the severity and duration of illness tends to be much lower than in unvaccinated cattle.

The initial vaccine should be administered twice, 2–4 weeks apart, under the skin of the neck for long-lasting protection. To ensure that animals are fully immune before insect populations have the opportunity to breed, you should vaccinate before spring, especially in northern Australia.

An annual booster should be given 8–10 weeks before the BEF season.