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Border Disease in Sheep: Welfare and Control

Border disease is a viral infection causing reproductive failure and neurological signs in sheep. This guide covers welfare impacts and prevention.

Key Facts

Border disease is caused by a pestivirus closely related to BVD in cattle
In-utero infection causes abortion, mummification, and 'hairy shaker' lambs
Persistently infected (PI) lambs appear unthrifty and serve as the virus reservoir
PI animals spread virus continuously and should be identified and removed
Introduction of PI sheep is the most common way disease enters a flock
Testing incoming sheep prevents introduction to disease-free flocks

Welfare Considerations and Management

Welfare-centred border disease management focuses on identifying and removing PI animals from flocks. PI lambs show poor growth, fleece abnormalities, and neurological tremors. They suffer ongoing welfare compromise and should be humanely culled. Testing all purchased sheep before introduction prevents herd-level disease. Vaccination is not widely available in the UK for border disease. Collaboration between farms and movement testing reduces spread.

What You Can Do

Test purchased sheep for border disease before introducing them to your flock
Identify and remove PI animals — they are the source of ongoing infection
Humanely cull hairy shaker lambs identified as persistently infected
Work with your vet to develop a disease control strategy for your flock