Three Day Sickness, or Bovine Ephemeral Fever (BEF), is a viral disease of cattle and buffaloes caused by the virus known as the Rhabdovirus.

BEF is transmitted through mosquitoes and biting midges.

Infected cattle can show a wide spectrum of clinical signs. Clinical signs include a sudden onset of fever (temperature as high as 41-42?C) with loss of appetite and increased breathing and heart rate. Affected cattle often shiver and become very stiff and lame on all four legs. There may be severe constipation in some cases and diarrhoea in others, which is caused by reduced rumen function. Watery discharges from the eyes and the nose often occurs.

Read more: Three Day Sickness

Also known as Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) or Mucosal disease virus, the introduction of pestivirus into your herd can result in production losses of between 25-40%, with ongoing annual losses of 5-10% experienced if the virus is not then eliminated.

Read more: Pestivirus in your herd

The first month of Life

1. Scale of the problem

Calf scours is the major cause of loss nationwide of cattle under 12 months of age. Losses in the range of 8-12 % can occur in dairy farms and 2-6% in beef farms.
Incidence of disease can be up to 100% in some dairies, and 30% in beef farms. It is a disease that is poorly understood given the immense cost to industry and the welfare problems it creates.

Read more: Calf Scours