BVD eradication programs have transformed cattle welfare in Scandinavian countries. Evidence-based control delivers welfare and economic benefits.
BVD causes direct disease in acutely infected cattle and, through immunosuppression, increases susceptibility to other infections. PI cattle suffer continuous viral infection and die young from mucosal disease. Eradication programs that identify and remove PI calves early prevent both individual PI animal suffering and herd-level immunosuppression.