Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV)

General information

The bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is an enveloped RNA virus of the family Paramyxoviridae and causes respiratory tract diseases in cattle and sheep. It is mainly calves that develop this disease. Infection primarily occurs in the winter months and is characterised by sudden fever, slight hyperpnoea, apathy, rhinitis and cough. Mild bronchiolitis, multifocal lesions and interstitial pneumonia with syncytia formation will develop. The duration of the disease is 3 – 10 days. In severe cases, it can result in death, otherwise the fatality rate is low. Persistent infections have been described; they may be the reason for maintaining the infection within a herd.

In cattle, BRSV is involved in the enzootic bronchopneumonia; it predisposes calves and lambs to the adherence of Mannheimia haemolytica.

There are different vaccines available. However, reinfections may occur after some months.