Border Disease Virus

Introduction

This is a virus of the family Pestivirus and occurs in sheep and goats. The disease was first reported on the Welsh Borders, hence the name. It is now prevalent in the UK, Europe and America. The virus can cause a significant problem in flocks of sheep by reducing the percentage of lambs that survive dramatically, hence having a large economic impact on farmers.

The virus has a tropism for foetal lymphoid tissue, hair follicles, and the central nervous system (CNS) and causes abortion in affected animals or the birth of weak lambs. 'Hairy shaker lambs' are born with hair and not wool and the disease can also be associated with cerebellar hypoplasia. If the sheep or goat is infected in the mid-third of gestation then immunotolerant lambs will be born and no clinical signs will be apparent.

Clinical Signs

Lambs are born with hair not wool and tremble, stagger and appear very weak. Some of these animals also have skeletal abnormalities. It may also be seen as abortion or stillbirth in a flock of sheep, which may appear brown and 'liquid like', so much so, it may be mistaken for scouring in early pregnancy.

Diagnosis

Clinical signs and birth of hairy shaker lambs, plus knowledge of presence of the disease in the area.

Confirmation by serology: ELISA for virus antigen.

Control

There is no vaccine currently available in the UK, although vaccines are available in the USA and Europe. Blood testing sheep can aid in culling seropositive ewes.

References

Bridger, J and Russell, P (2007) Virology Study Guide

Radostits, O.M, Arundel, J.H, and Gay, C.C. (2000) Veterinary Medicine: a textbook of the diseases of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses Elsevier Health Sciences

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