BVD Control in Sheep: Protecting Flock Health and Welfare

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVD) infects sheep as well as cattle, causing reproductive losses and welfare impacts that require integrated control.

Key Facts

BVD virus can infect sheep, causing reproductive losses including abortion, stillbirth, and weak lambs
Persistently infected (PI) cattle in mixed-species farming environments are the primary source of infection
Sheep do not become persistently infected themselves but suffer acute disease effects
Clinical signs in infected sheep include fever, respiratory disease, and reproductive failure
BVD testing and removal of PI cattle is the primary control measure in mixed-species farms
BVD vaccination of cattle reduces viral shedding and protects adjacent sheep populations
Awareness of BVD as a sheep welfare issue is lower than in cattle despite shared risk on mixed farms

Welfare Considerations

BVD in sheep causes reproductive failure that translates to lamb deaths, weak lambs, and reduced flock productivity. Ewes infected during pregnancy experience the grief-analog of carrying and losing young. The reproductive welfare impact accumulates over multiple seasons on farms with undetected BVD exposure. Control through PI cattle testing and removal protects both cattle and sheep welfare. Mixed-species farm health planning should routinely address BVD risk for all species on the holding.

What You Can Do

Test cattle on mixed-species farms for PI BVD status and remove positive animals
Discuss BVD risk to sheep with your vet at annual health planning visits
Vaccinate cattle against BVD as part of a comprehensive control program protecting both species
Investigate reproductive failure clusters in ewes - consider BVD exposure from cattle
Participate in regional BVD eradication programs that benefit all species on participating farms