Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), caused by bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1), is a highly contagious respiratory disease of cattle causing significant welfare harm and production losses, with eradication achievable through marker vaccines.
IBR causes acute respiratory suffering that veterinary textbooks describe as among the most severe of cattle respiratory diseases. Affected animals are febrile to 42°C, have difficulty breathing due to upper airway inflammation, stop eating, and in severe cases develop encephalitis. Respiratory distress is visually obvious: open-mouth breathing, extended neck, and audible respiratory noise indicate severe hypoxia. The abortion storm component affects ewes and cows profoundly — late-term abortions require physical delivery of dead or dying calves and carry their own physical and likely psychological welfare costs. Vaccination with marker vaccines substantially reduces clinical disease in endemic herds, but eradication offers the ultimate welfare benefit: elimination of the virus from the population removes all disease risk for future animals. The economic case for eradication is equally strong — countries with IBR freedom have lower veterinary costs, higher fertility rates, and better trade access.