Sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever in cattle: an update

Abstract

Sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF) is a frequently fatal disease of many species including cattle, caused by ovine herpes virus-2. Sheep are the main reservoir host species and transmit the virus to other species, usually via aerosol. Clinical signs in affected animals can impact various body systems, and infection can be sub-clinical and become latent. No specific treatments exist, and empirical treatments are generally unrewarding. Occasionally some animals may survive, but there remains a chronic arteriopathy. Currently, the disease is controlled on farms is by reducing contact between susceptible hosts and sheep as much as possible, although a vaccine would be a useful protective strategy should one be developed.