News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Matt Mellor
Tel: 01694 731777
matt@abccomms.co.uk
New Study Reveals Prolonged and Significant Milk Yield
Reduction From IBR
MILTON KEYNES, UK, December 7, 2015 - Dairy cows that have been exposed to the virus
that causes Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) have been shown in a new study to
produce 2.6 litres per day less milk throughout the entire lactation, despite showing few or no
signs of the disease (i.e. being sub-clinically infected).
The study was carried out by the animal health and welfare consultancy RAFT
Solutions and sponsored by MSD Animal Health (known as Merck Animal Health in the US
and Canada). It compared the performance of cattle with antibodies to IBR (seropositive) to
those without antibodies (seronegative) over a two year period on an average sized, all-yearround calving pedigree Holstein dairy herd in the north of England.
The average reduction in milk yield recorded in infected cows is significant under any
circumstances, and particularly so given the absence of any clinical signs of disease in most
animals and the prolonged period of impact.
“IBR is known to be an insidious disease that causes often unseen losses, including
milk loss, but this new study highlights the scale of potential damage that infected herds can
be suffering,” comments Jonathan Statham of Bishopton Veterinary Group and CEO of
RAFT Solutions.
“This is a disease that has been shown to be present in up to 70% of herds in some
parts of the country, and in many cases it may well be present without herd managers being
aware of it.
“Clinical signs include respiratory problems, infertility and abortion, but it may also
affect performance when present sub-clinically, as this work clearly illustrates.”
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The farm where the study was carried out ran a closed herd with relatively good
biosecurity and high health status, with routine bulk tank and youngstock blood testing being
carried out. Suspicions of disease entering the herd were raised in May 2010 when three
cows aborted, prompting the investigation and creating the opportunity to conduct the study.
“The herd was not being vaccinated against IBR as it was known from regular
diagnostic testing to be clear of this particular disease, as well as the other major infectious
diseases,” continues Mr Statham. “Following the abortions, investigations revealed the
presence of IBR. The route of entry of the virus to the herd remains unknown but may have
been through contact with neighbouring cattle, or could have been brought onto the farm on
clothing, machinery or even in bull semen. It spread to affect 70% of cows in the herd.
“By comparing performance of seropositive and seronegative cows throughout the
herd, over a long period, we have established the impact on milk yield specifically,
something that can easily be translated into a financial cost.
“At current milk prices, the cost of sub-clinical IBR was shown to be costing as much
as £200 per cow per year, approximately twice the median cost of all veterinary and
medicine inputs per cow per year.
“These findings underline the importance of monitoring subclinical infectious disease in
dairy herds as part of herd health and production management. The financial cost of disease
should also motivate dairy farmers to implement robust biosecurity and biocontainment plans
on their farms and give due consideration to marker vaccination programmes for their cattle.”
- Ends -
Note to editors:
The paper ‘Reduction in daily milk yield associated with subclinical bovine herpes virus 1
infection’ (J.M.E Statham, L.V. Randall, S.C. Archer) was published in Veterinary Record
(2015) 177, 339.
Use medicines responsibly. For more information visit: www.noah.co.uk/responsible
Further information is available from: MSD Animal Health, Walton Manor, Walton, Milton Keynes MK7 7AJ.
-animal-health.co.uk
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About MSD Animal Health
Today's MSD is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. MSD
Animal Health, known as Merck Animal Health in the United States and Canada, is the
global animal health business unit of MSD. Through its commitment to the Science of
Healthier Animals™, MSD Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and
governments one of the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health
management solutions and services. MSD Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and
improving the health, well-being and performance of animals. It invests extensively in
dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. MSD
Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some
150 markets. For more information, visit www.msd-animal-health.com or connect with us on
LinkedIn.
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