3-Day Sickness (Ephemeral Fever)

Local Names: Gabbra: Butt / Kipsigis: miotap butusiek somok / Samburu: lakirkir /
Somali:
tuhya
Common
Names: Three
Day
Sickness,
Stiff
Sickness
Description: Flies
and
mosquito
borne
disease
Introduction
Ephemeral Fever is an insect-transmitted, non-contagious, viral disease of cattle and
water buffalo found in Africa, the Middle East, Asia south of the former USSR, and
Australia. Infections with no illness can also occur in wild buffalo, waterbuck,
hartebeest,
wildebeest,
deer
and
possibly
goats.
Mode
of
Spread
The virus is insect-borne and is not contagious. This virus does not persist in
recovered cattle and most recovered cattle have life-long immunity. The insects
responsible for spread are several species of midge and mosquitoes. Outbreaks may
be more common when conditions favour multiplication of the midge and mosquito
populations. Wind may spread the responsible midges over large areas.
The prevalence and severity of the disease may vary from year to year. The disease
tend to disappear for long periods, to return when the resistance of the population is
diminished. Recurrence depends primarily on suitable environmental conditions for
the increase and dissemination of the insect vector. During periods of inactivity, the
disease is still present but the number of animals affected is very low. Clinical cases
may occur without being recognised. Outbreaks may depend on a change in the
virulence of the virus or an increase in the insect population.
During epidemics many animals may be affected within days or 2-3 weeks.
Signs of Ephemeral Fever
Signs

After an incubation period of 2-10 days the virus causes inflammation in

tissues such as joints, muscles and lymph nodes.

There is a fever of up to 40.5C - 41C (105F - 106F) lasting for 2 days, an

increased respiratory rate, difficulty in breathing, muscle stiffness and pain.

There is a sudden decrease in milk yield. (After recovery milk production does
not return to normal levels until the following lactation.)

Affected animals refuse to eat, drool saliva from the mouth, have difficulty in
swallowing and have muscle tremors.

There is often an excessive production of tears, a nasal discharge and

occasionally constipation or diarrhoea.

The most characteristic signs, however, are the stiffness or lameness. Some
animals become recumbent (lie down) and paralyzed from 8 hours to a week. In
severe cases animals suffer permanent paralysis, but this is uncommon. Above
picture shows heifer with BEF virus unable to bear weight on its hind legs.

In most cases spontaneous recovery occurs after about 2 days, and is

complete.

Bulls, heavy cattle, and high-yielding dairy cattle are the most severly affected, with
animals less than 6 months of age showing no clinical signs. Pregnant cows may
abort, especially those in late pregnancy. Bulls may suffer temporary infertility.
Diagnosis
This is based on the clinical signs. This should pose no problem during an outbreak
but can cause difficulties in isolated cases, when it may be confused with Laminitis,
milk fever or a foreign body in the reticulum. After a few days however, the
spontaneous
improvement
should
aid
diagnosis.
Prevention - Control - Treatment

Prevention
and
Control
Control of the insect carriers is not possible. Inactivated and live virus vaccine
combinations are used in some parts of the world, such as South Africa and Australia
and appear to be effective. Such vaccines should, however, only be used
in endemic areas.
Treatment
Generally, no treatment is required, but in individual cases anti-inflammatory drugs,
such as injectable phenylbutazone or flunixin will help recovery. Animals should be
rested and not stressed, as this may cause the disease to come back. No drugs
should ever be given by mouth to an animal with Ephemeral Fever as many animals
are unable to swallow and to do so will cause pneumonia. Antibiotic treatment to
control secondary infection and rehydration with isotonic fluids may be warranted in
some cases.

Bovine Ephemeral Fever

Overview
Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF), commonly known as three day sickness, is a disease of cattle
and occasionally buffaloes, marked by short fever, shivering, lameness and muscular
stiffness. Caused by an insect borne virus, the disease is widespread in northern Australia.
It causes serious economic losses through deaths, loss of condition, decreased milk
production, lowered fertility of bulls, mismothering of calves, delays in marketing and
restrictions on the export of live cattle.
Cause
The Bovine Ephemeral Fever virus is the cause of BEF. The BEF virus is transmitted
between cattle by flying insects. The transmitting insects (vectors) have not been definitely
identified but it is thought that mosquitoes and biting midges (especially sandflies) are
responsible. Spread of the disease depends on the season and weather conditions - rain and
prevailing easterly and southerly winds are necessary for the survival and dispersal of the
vectors which spread the virus. The National Arbovirus Monitoring Program (NAMP)
monitors the spread of ephemeral fever virus within Australia. For further information and
maps showing the previous extent of BEF in Australia click here
In most years, BEF cases start at the beginning of the wet season in northern Australia and
then spread south and east down the east coast, into southern Queensland and central and
coastal New South Wales. Occasionally, outbreaks will occur in northern Victoria.
Impact and Incidence
In northern Australia, older cattle generally have immunity from previous exposure to BEF,
with introduced or young growing cattle being most susceptible to disease. Once exposed to
the virus, cattle develop a long lasting immunity. Calves are relatively immune to ephemeral
fever until they are about six months old.
Levels of herd immunity will vary depending on location of the herd relative to the normal
distribution of BEF and prevailing seasonal conditions. Outbreaks of disease affecting cattle
of all ages can occur at the end of a series of drought years or in herds on the southern fringes
of the normal BEF distribution.
Clinical signs
Typically, three stages of the disease are recognised. The acute febrile stage appears suddenly,
especially noticeable in dairy cattle. Cattle show signs associated with a fever. Their rectal
temperature will generally be over 40oC. Approximately 50% of sick animals shiver. Sick
cattle will stand with their backs arched and heads held low with muzzles extended, drooling
saliva. Often there is a discharge from the eyes and nostrils. Feeding and cud chewing stop
and milk production, especially in dairy cows, is reduced.
The second stage is muscular stiffness and lameness in one or more limbs. Some degree of
secondary bloat may also occur due to general inflammation of the abdominal cavity and
ruminal stasis. The lameness may shift between limbs. Joints may be visibly swollen.

During the recovery stage, the great majority of affected animals resume eating and drinking.
Animals may go down, with heavy animals in good condition being most affected. Some
animals remain down due to muscle damage or damage to the spinal cord. Generally, about
1% die or are destroyed because they cannot get up, although this figure may be as high as
10%. Some animals that recover from ephemeral fever will have the staggers due to spinal
cord damage. Pregnant cows may abort due to the high fever and heifers with young calves
may mismother their calves.
Post mortem examination of cattle that die is important to rule out other acute febrile diseases
that often occur under the same conditions as ephemeral fever and present in a similar
manner, such as tick fever.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of ephemeral fever during epidemics is made on the presence of lameness,
muscular stiffness, pain, rapid spread of the disease through herds and short fever. The BEF
virus can often be identified from a blood sample taken from animals in the fever stage of the
disease. Alternatively, two blood samples, the first obtained during the fever stage and the
second fourteen days later can be examined for development of antibodies to ephemeral fever
virus.
Treatment and Prevention
A vaccine is registered for the prevention of BEF. It is only available through your
veterinarian as it is a prescription only product. It is a two part vaccine, with frozen and liquid
components that must be mixed prior to administration. Great care must be taken with this
vaccine if the full benefit is to be obtained. It must be kept frozen, mixed up immediately
prior to administration and used straight away.
Two injections of the vaccine 4 weeks apart under the skin of the neck are necessary for longlasting protection. Annual boosters are recommended. It is advisable to commence
vaccination in the winter months so that cattle are fully immunised prior to summer rains.
The vaccine has provided good levels of protection against BEF. Field observations have
shown that some vaccinated cattle can develop mild disease, however the severity and
duration of illness is very much less than in unvaccinated cattle.
Treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs has been shown to reduce the course of the disease
and calcium injections may aid animals that are down. Most animals will recover if provided
with water and shade, however, in extensive management situations this is often impossible
to provide.
Related species

Three day sickness

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biosecurity / Diseases / Infectious / Three day sickness

health,

welfare

and

Three day sickness, or bovine ephemeral fever, is a viral disease of cattle that is
spread by mosquitoes and biting midges. It occurs in northern Australia and along
the eastern seaboard south to the NSW-VIC border. It is called three day sickness
because the clinical signs of the disease usually last for three days.
Conditions when three day sickness is likely to occur

Young stock are more commonly affected because infection provides life-long
immunity.
Wetter northern regions (more sporadic in southern cooler regions).
Following big wet seasons, especially if it follows several dry years (under
these conditions a much higher proportion of older animals will become infected).
Identifying and diagnosing three day sickness
Diagnosis of three day sickness will require assistance from a veterinarian.
Clinical signs that would lead producers to suspect three day sickness include the
following:

Depression.

Lameness, muscle stiffness, shivering, twitching, droopy ears.

Drooling saliva, watery eyes, runny nose.

Recumbency.

Reduced water and food intake.

Abortion.

Heavier and older animals are more severely affected because long periods
of recumbency leads to muscle damage.
Prevention strategies for three day sickness
Prevention strategies for three day sickness rely largely on vaccination.

3 DAY SICKNESS IN CATTLE.

(Bovine ephemeral fever. BEF)
Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF), commonly
known as three day sickness, is a disease of
cattle that causes serious economic losses
through deaths, loss of condition, decreased
weight gains and reduced fertility in bulls.
Three Day is marked by a short fever,
shivering, lameness and muscular stiffness
and is caused
by a virus and is widespread in Queensland.
Spread of BEF
BEF is transmitted between cattle by flying biting insects. The transmitting insects have not
been definitely identified, though it is thought that mosquitoes and biting midges (sandflies)
are responsible. The spread of the disease depends on the season and weather conditions.
In most years, BEF cases start at the beginning of the wet season in northern Australia, and
then spread south and east down the east coast. It then spreads into southern Queensland, and
central and coastal New South Wales. Occasionally, as in 2010, outbreaks occur in southern
NSW and northern Victoria.
Animals at risk
Once exposed to the virus, cattle develop a long-lasting immunity. Calves are relatively
immune to BEF from maternal protection until they are about six months old. Older cattle
generally have immunity from previous exposure, with introduced or young growing cattle
being most susceptible to disease.
However, outbreaks of disease affecting cattle of all ages can occur at the end of a series of
drought years because lack of rain will have prevented the breeding of insect vectors during
the drought. Cattle born during the drought will not have been exposed to the virus as
younger animals and older immune animals will have been sold off.
Clinical signs
Cattle show signs associated with a fever where their temperature will generally be over
40oC. Sick animals shiver and stand with their backs arched and heads held low with muzzles
extended, drooling saliva. Often there is a discharge from the eyes and nostrils.
Cattle develop muscular stiffness and lameness in one or more limbs. The lameness may shift
between limbs. Joints may be visibly swollen. . Animals may go down, with heavy animals in
good condition being most affected. Some animals remain down due to muscle damage or
damage to the spinal cord from constant struggling. Up to 10% of animals may die or be

destroyed because they cannot get up. Some animals that recover from BEF have the staggers
due to spinal cord damage. Abortions can occur in cows due to the fever.
Diagnosis
In addition to the clinical signs BEF a blood test can identify the presence of the virus, and is
most successful when samples are collected in the first few days of clinical disease.
Treatment
Treatment success has improved with veterinary intervention after the development of better
anti-inflammatory medications to treat the signs of the virus. Consult your veterinarian as
soon as signs develop for the best treatment and chance of saving stock from BEF.
Prevention
A vaccine is registered for the prevention of bovine ephemeral fever(BEF) Only cattle older
than six months should be vaccinated. The vaccine is available only from veterinarians as it is
a modified live vaccine.
This vaccine has provided good levels of protection against BEF. Field observations have
shown that some vaccinated cattle can develop mild disease even after vaccination. However,
the severity and duration of illness is very much less than in unvaccinated cattle.
Two injections of the vaccine, 2-4 weeks apart, under the skin of the neck are necessary for
long-lasting protection. To ensure that animals are fully immune before insect populations
have the opportunity to breed, it is recommended that you complete vaccination before the
spring, especially in northern Australia.

Talk to any of the Vet Cross vets for advise and information on 3 Day Sickness and heard
health programs.

BAGUS

A.

I.
PENDAHULUAN
Latar Belakang
Ternak ruminansia besar (sapi) merupakan salah satu komoditas ternak yang strategis,
karena selain dapat digunakan sebagai ternak pekerja, juga dapat dijadikan sumber
pendapatan/tabungan serta menjadi sumber protein hewani berupa daging. Oleh karena itu,
kesehatan ternak harus selalu dijaga agar kondisi tubuhnya baik dan dapat berproduksi
dengan baik pula. Tiga faktor yang saling berkaitan dalam permasalahan timbulnya suatu
penyakit, yaitu : faktor agen penyakit, hospes (ternak itu sendiri) dan lingkungan.

Bovine Ephemeral Fever (Demam Tiga Hari) merupakan penyakit yang bersifat
ringan yang umumnya menyerang pada sapi dan ditandai dengan demam tinggi rasa sakit
otot dan pincang. Sapi yang menderita penyakit ini cepat sembuh bila tanpa komplikasi.
Penyakit klinis berjalan sangat singkat biasanya tidak lebih dari tiga hari. Akan tetapi, pada
pejantan penyakit ini bisa belangsung selama lima bulan.
Bovine Ephemeral Fever (Demam Tiga Hari) dapat menyebabkan terjadinya
gangguan produksi susu pada sapi perah produktif. Merupakan penyakit pada sapi yang
banyak sekali ditemukan dilapangan. Kasus yang terjadi di lapangan kebanyakan memiliki
angka kesakitan yang tinggi ,akan tetapi dengan angka kematian yang rendah.
Penyakit Demam Tiga Hari banyak ditemui pada ternak sapi dan secara umum resiko
ekonomi yang ditimbulkan tidaklah besar apabila penanganan medis secara cepat telah
dilakukan untuk mencegah terjadinya komplikasi dengan penyakit lain. Penyakit ini biasa
menyerang pada musim pancaroba atau peralihan dari kemarau ke hujan.
Bovine Ephemeral Fever (BEF) disebabkan oleh virus Rhabdovirus, yang termasuk
dalam familia yang sama dengan penyakit rabies dan vesicular stomatitis. Virus tersebut
dapat ditularkan melalui serangga. Penyakit Demam Tiga Hari disebarkan oleh Cullicoides
sp. dan nyamuk Cullicoides yang terinfeksi dapat menyebarkan penyakit mencapai jarak
2.000 KM. Ada dugaan penyebaran dapat pula terjadi melalui angin. Walau sampai saat ini
belum ditemukan penyebab ataupun pembawa penyakit BEF secara pasti, hal tersebut
mungkin disebabkan karena jumlah sampel yang diperiksa tidak cukup banyak. Mungkin
juga karena jangka waktu penyakit ini juga relatif pendek. Penyemprotan terhadap ternak
sebaiknya dilakukan secara kontinyu menggunakan insektisida dan sanitasi kandang
dilakukan secara rutin. Ha ini diharapkan untuk meminimalisir adanya vektor pembawa
penyakit.

II.
A.

PEMBAHASAN
Pengertian
Bovine Ephemeral Fever (Demam Tiga Hari) adalah suatu penyakit viral pada sapi
atau kerbau yang ditandai dengan terjadinya demam tinggi, rasa sakit otot, dan kepincangan
(Akoso, 1996). Penyakit klinis berjalan sangat singkat, biasanya berakhir tidak lebih dari tiga
hari, dengan morbiditas tinggi tetapi mortalitas rendah. Penyakit ini dapat menimbulkan
gangguan yang hebat terhadap produksi susu pada sapi perah dan jasa kerja pada ternak
pekerja (Ressang, 1986).

Bovine Ephemeral Fever hanya menyerang sapi dan kerbau dan tidak dapat menulari
dan menimbulkan penyakit pada hewan lain. Angka kematian sangat kecil sekali tidak sampai
1% tetapi angka kesakitam tinggi (Deptan, 2001). Penyakit ini dapat menimbulkan kerugian
ekonomi yaitu dapat menurunkan produksi susu dan pertambahan berat badan masing-masing
sebesar 43% dan 10kg (Soleha et al., 1992).
Berdasarkan pengertian diatas dinyatakan bahwa BEF hanya dapat menyerang ternak
sapi dan kerbau saja. Penyakit ini hanya menyerang dalam jangka waktu yang sangat singkat,
akan tetapi penyakit ini dapat mengakibatkan gangguan produksi susu pada sapi perah serta
pertambahan bobot badan. Oleh karena itu, walaupun penyakit ini tidak berbahaya dari segi
kesehatan, tetapi sangat berbahaya dari segi ekonomi yang mengakibatkan kerugian bagi
peternak.
B.

Penyebab
Penyakit pada ternak pada umumnya terdiri atas penyakit infeksius dan penyakit non
infeksius. Penyakit infeksius adalah penyakit yang disebabkan oleh agen-agen infeksi. Agenagen penyebab infeksi antara lain adalah virus, bakteri, jamur, parasit, dll. Sedangkan
penyakit non infeksius adalah penyakit yang disebabkan selain oleh agen infeksi, misalnya
defisien nutrisi, vitamin, mineral, ataupun karena keracunan (Triakoso, 2009).
Penyakit BEF disebabkan oleh virus. Penyebab penyakit ini adalah virus dari genus
yang tidak ada namanya, tetapi masuk dalam keluarga Rhabdoviridae dari virus RNA. Masa
inkubasi penyakit ini berkisar antara 7-10 hari (Akoso, 1996). Berdasarkan morfologinya
virus BFE diklasifikasikan sebagai Rhabdovirus yang berbentuk peluru. Virus ini hanya bisa
diamati menggunakan mikroskop elektron. Infektivitas virus dapat hilang sangat cepat pada
pH 2,5 dan 12 dan hilang dengan cepat pada pH 5 dan pH 9 (Ressang, 1986).
Berdasarkan pengertian diatas BEF merupakan penyakit infeksius. Hal ini sesuai
dengan pendapat Triakoso (2009) dan Akoso (1996). Akoso (1996) menyatakan
bahwa penyakit BEF disebabkan oleh virus. Sedangkan Triakoso (2009) menyatakan bahwa
penyakit infeksius adalah penyakit yang disebabkan oleh agen-agen infeksi. Agen-agen
penyebab infeksi antara lain adalah virus, bakteri, jamur, parasit, dll sehingga dapat
disimpulkan bahwa BEF merupakan penyakit infeksius karena disebabkan oleh virus yang
berasal dari keluarga Rhabdoviridae.

C.

Penularan

Penyebaran penyakit Bovine Ephemeral Fever tidak terjadi karena adanya kontak
secara langsung. Kemungkinan penyakit ini ditularkan melalui vektor. Lingkungan alam yang
berupa sawah dan banyak terdapat genangan air sangat baik untuk vektor ini (Soeharsono., et
al, 1983).
Sapi maupun kerbau tidak pernah terbukti bertindak sebagai hewan pembawa virus
dalam jangka waktu panjang. Penyebaran lebih ditekankan pada peranan vektor ataupun
angin. Angina yang bersifat basah dan lembab diduga dapat memindahkan virus dan vektor
penyakit ini (Subronto, 1989).
Penyakit Demam Tiga Hari disebarkan oleh Cullicoides sp (serangga pengisap darah)
dan nyamuk. Cullicoides yang terinfeksi dapat menyebarkan penyakit mencapai jarak 2.000
KM (Akoso, 1996).
Berdasarkan pengertian diatas dapat disimpulkan bahwa penyakit BEF tidak
ditularkan melalui kontak langsung dengan penderita. Penyakit ini ditularkan oleh vektor
pembawa yaitu Cullicoides sp (serangga pengisap darah) dan nyamuk. Cullicoides yang
terinfeksi dapat menyebarkan penyakit mencapai jarak 2.000 KM.
D.

Hewan Rentan
Bovine Ephemeral Fever hanya menyerang sapi dan kerbau dan tidak dapat menulari
dan menimbulkan penyakit pada hewan lain. Angka kematian sangat kecil sekali tidak sampai
1% tetapi angka kesakitam tinggi (Deptan, 2001).
Berdasarkan pengertian diatas dapat diambil kesimpulan bahwa BEF hanya
menyerang sapi dan kerbau. Akan tetapi, kejadian yang banyak terjadi adalah pada sapi yang.
Serta penyakit ini tidak ditularkan secara langsung.

E.

Gejala Klinis
Tanda-tanda ternak yang terjangkit penyakit ini antara lain adalah:
a. Demam (39 sampai 420C)
b. Lesu
c. Kekakuan anggota gerak sampai pincang
d. Kelemahan anggota gerak sampai tidak sanggup berdiri.

e. Keluar liur yang berlebihan

f. Sesak nafas
g. Gemetar
h. Keluar sedikit cairan dari mata dan hidung.
i. Pada sapi menyusui, produksi air susu turun atau terhenti sama sekali (Deptan, 2001).
Kepincangan merupakan tanda-tanda klinis yang menonjol dan lebih jelas terlihat
pada demam hari kedua. Kepincangan ini akan mengakibatkan hewan harus berbaring secara
terus-menerus dalam waktu yang lama. Sapi jantan yang berat dan sapi perah akan
mengalami hal ini. Pada kejadian ini, kesembuhan sempurna jarang terjadi meskipun sapi
sudah mau makan dan minum dengan normal. Kebanyakan sapi yang terserang BEF namun
tidak sampai berbaring akan mengalami kesembuhan setelah 2-3 hari dengan tanda-tanda
penyakit yang relatif ringan (Ressang, 1986).
Sapi dewasa yang menderia penyakit ini akan lebih menderita daripada hewan muda.
Angka kesakitan tinggi tetapi angka kematian rendah. Bila terjadi komplikasi, sapi bunting
dapat abortus atau terjadi kemajiran sementara. Sapi pejantan penyakit ini dapat menyerang
selama 5 bulan (Akoso, 1996).
Kesembuhan mulai tampak pada hari ke-3 dan kesembuhan sempurna pada hari ke-5
setelah munculnya gejala klinis. Penderitaan yang bersifat kurang berat terkadang ditemukan
pada pedet yang berumur kurang dari 6 bulan. Pejantan yang berat dan sapi-sapi yang besar
paling menderita apabila terserang BEF. Angka kematian biasanya kurang dari 1% dan
kebanyakan disebabkan oleh factor-faktor sekunder (Subronto, 1989).
Berdasarkan pengertian diatas dapat disimpulkan bahwa gejala yang ditunjukkan pada
ternak yang menderita penyakit ini antara lain mengalami demam dan kekakuan anggota
gerak bahkan sampai mengalami kepincangan. Sapi yang menderita penyakit ini biasanya
mulai menampakkan kesumbuhannya pada hari ke 2-3 setelah terjangkit. Angka kematian
yang ditimbulkan dari penyakit ini sangat kecil yaitu kurang dari 1%.
F.

Pengendalian dan Pengobatan

Pencegahan penyakit ini dapat dilakukan dengan cara sebagai berikut:
1. Menjaga kebersihan lingkungan
2. Pemakaian insektisida untuk membunuh vektor panyakit disekitar daerah terjangkit

3. Mengisolasi hewan sakit

(Deptan, 2001).
Pengobatan terhadap ternak yang menderita penyakit ini dilakukan dengan
memberikan obat simtomatik dan pencegahan terhadap timbulnya infeksi sekunder. Vaksin
yang efektif belum ada (Akoso, 1996).

Sampai saat ini belum ada pengobatan yang efektif, namun demikian pemberian
spectrum luasperlu dianjurkan untuk mencegah infeksi sekunder dan pemberian vitamin
untuk menghindari stress (Deptan, 2001).
Hewan yang menderita diusahakan agar terjadinya komplikasi sekunder dapat
diperkecil. Pemberian minum dengan alat (drench, contang) hendaknya dihindarkan, karena
dalam fase akut beberapa penderita mengalami kesukaran menelan (Subronto, 1989).
Sapi yang pernah terinveksi virus BEF akan mendapat kekabalan tubuh dalam jangka
waktu yang panjang terhadap infeksi berikutnya. Akan tetapi, adanya penemuan bahwa BEF
tidak hanya disebabkan oleh satu serotip menimbulkan dugaan bahwa infeksi oleh satu
serotip belum tentu memberi perlindungan terhadap serotip lain (Ressang, 1986).
Pencegahan yang bisa dilakukan peternak antara lain adalah menjaga kebersihan
kandang, penyemprotan insektisida agar tidak ada vektor yang bisa menyebarkan penyakit
ini. Walaupun penyakit ini tidak ditularkan secar kontak langsung dengan penderita,
sebaiknya ternak yang terjangkit tetap dipisahkan untuk menghindari mudahnya vektor untuk
menyebarka penyakit ini pada ternak yang sehat.

Pengobatan yang bisa dilakukan apabila terjadi penyakit ini adalah pemberian
antibiotik untuk mencegah perkembangan virus dalam induk semang. Sapi yang pernah
terinveksi virus BEF akan mendapat kekabalan tubuh dalam jangka waktu yang panjang
terhadap infeksi berikutnya. Akan tetapi, adanya penemuan bahwa BEF tidak hanya
disebabkan oleh satu serotip menimbulkan dugaan bahwa infeksi oleh satu serotip belum
tentu memberi perlindungan terhadap serotip lain.
G.

Perubahan Pascamati
Perubahan pascamati sangat ringan dan tidak mencolok. Perubahan yang paling sering
terjadi adalah terdapatnya eksudat berfibrin pada pleura, pericardial, dan dinding rongga
perut. Kelenjar limfe busung dan paru dapat mengalami busung lokal, serta otot dapat
mengalami nekrosis setempat (Akoso, 1996).
Berdasarkan pengertian diatas dapat disimpulkan bahwa sapi yang menderita penyakit
ini secara mencolok tidak mengalami perubahan fisik. Akan tetapi, pada beberapa kejadian
setelah penderita mati terdapat peubahan pada kelenjar limfe serta dinding rongga perut.
Beberapa kejadian juga menunjukkan adanya otot yang mengalami nekrosis.

H.

Pemotongan Hewan
Ternak penderita BEF dapat dipotong dan dagingnya boleh dikonsumsi atau
diperdagangkan. Namun, mengingat angka kematian yang relatif rendah maka sebaiknya
pemotongan hanya dilakukan pada keadaan yang sangat terpaksa ditinjau dari segi medis dan
atas anjuran dari dokter hewan. Sisa pemotongan beserta sisa pakan yang masih tertinggal
harus dibakar dan dikubur dalam-dalam. Tempat pemotongan dibersihkan dan disucihamakan
(Akoso, 1996).
Berdasarkan pendapat Akoso (1996) dagimg yang berasal dari sapi yang menderita
penyakit BEF dapat dikonsumsi. Akan tetapi, angka kematian yang rendah ternak yang
menderita BEF jarang dipotong kecuali pada kondisi yang sangat mendesak. Sisa pakan serta
bekas tempat pemotongan sapi penderita BEF harus dibersihkan serta disucihamakan.

III.

PENUTUP
A. Kesimpulan
Bovine Ephemeral Fever (Demam Tiga Hari) adalah suatu penyakit viral pada sapi
atau kerbau yang ditandai dengan terjadinya demam tinggi, rasa sakit otot, dan kepincangan.
Penyakit klinis berjalan sangat singkat, biasanya berakhir tidak lebih dari tiga hari, dengan
morbiditas tinggi tetapi mortalitas rendah. Penyakit ini dapat menimbulkan gangguan yang

hebat terhadap produksi susu pada sapi perah dan jasa kerja pada ternak pekerja. Bovine
Empheral Fever hanya menyerang sapi dan kerbau dan tidak dapat menulari dan
menimbulkan penyakit pada hewan lain.
BEF merupakan penyakit infeksius karena disebabkan oleh virus yang berasal dari
keluarga Rhabdoviridae. Masa inkubasi penyakit ini berkisar antara 7-10 hari.
Penyebaran penyakit Bovine Ephemeral Fever tidak terjadi karena adanya kontak
secara langsung. Kemungkinan penyakit ini ditularkan melalui vektor. Penyakit Demam Tiga
Hari disebarkan oleh Cullicoides sp (serangga pengisap darah) dan nyamuk Cullicoides yang
terinfeksi dapat menyebarkan penyakit mencapai jarak 2.000 KM.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.

BEF hanya menyerang sapi dan kerbau. Akan tetapi, kejadian yang banyak terjadi
adalah pada sapi yang. Serta penyakit ini tidak ditularkan secara langsung.Tanda-tanda ternak
yang terjangkit penyakit ini antara lain adalah:
Demam (39 sampai 420C)
Lesu
Kekakuan anggota gerak sampai pincang
Kelemahan anggota gerak sampai tidak sanggup berdiri.
Keluar liur yang berlebihan
Sesak nafas
Gemetar
Keluar sedikit cairan dari mata dan hidung.
Pada sapi menyusui, produksi air susu turun atau terhenti sama sekali

Kepincangan merupakan tanda-tanda klinis yang menonjol dan lebih jelas terlihat
pada demam hari kedua. Kepincangan ini akan mengakibatkan hewan harus berbaring secara
terus-menerus dalam waktu yang lama. Sapi jantan yang berat dan sapi perah akan
mengalami hal ini. Pada kejadian ini, kesembuhan sempurna jarang terjadi meskipun sapi
sudah mau makan dan minum dengan normal. Kebanyakan sapi yang terserang BEF namun
tidak sampai berbaring akan mengalami kesembuhan setelah 2-3 hari dengan tanda-tanda
penyakit yang relatif ringan. Pencegahan penyakit ini dapat dilakukan dengan cara sebagai
berikut:
a. Menjaga kebersihan lingkungan
b. Pemakaian insektisida untuk membunuh vektor panyakit (serangga pengisap darah dan
nyamuk) disekitar daerah terjangkit
c. Mengisolasi hewan sakit

Pengobatan yang bisa dilakukan apabila terjadi penyakit ini adalah pemberian
antibiotic untuk mencegah perkembangan virus dalam induk semang. Sapi yang pernah
terinveksi virus BEF akan mendapat kekabalan tubuh dalam jangka waktu yang panjang
terhadap infeksi berikutnya. Akan tetapi, adanya penemuan bahwa BEF tidak hanya
disebabkan oleh satu serotip menimbulkan dugaan bahwa infeksi oleh satu serotip belum
tentu memberi perlindungan terhadap serotip lain.
Sapi yang menderita penyakit ini secara mencolok tidak mengalami perubahan fisik.
Akan tetapi, pada beberapa kejadian setelah penderita mati terdapat peubahan pada kelenjar
limfe serta dinding rongga perut. Beberapa kejadian juga menunjukkan adanya otot yang
mengalami nekrosis.
Ternak penderita BEF dapat dipotong dan dagingnya boleh dikonsumsi atau
diperdagangkan. Namun, mengingat angka kematian yang relative rendah maka sebaiknya
pemotongan hanya dilakukan pada keadaan yang sangat terpaksa ditinjau dari segi medis dan
atas anjuran dari dokter hewan.

Bovine ephemeral fever is an insect-transmitted, noncontagious, viral disease of

cattle and water buffalo that is seen in Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and Asia.
Inapparent infections can develop in Cape buffalo, hartebeest, waterbuck,
wildebeest, deer, and possibly goats. Low levels of antibody have been recorded in
several other antelope species and giraffe, but the specificity has not been
confirmed.
Etiology and Epidemiology
Bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) is classified as a member of the
genus Ephemerovirus in the family Rhabdoviridae (single-stranded, negative sense
RNA). The virus is ether-sensitive and readily inactivated at pH levels below 5 and
above 10. Although no evidence of immunogenic diversity is reported, antigenic
variation has been demonstrated using panels of monoclonal antibodies and by
epitope mapping. Several closely related ephemeroviruses (including Berrimah virus,
Kimberley virus, Malakal virus, Adelaide River virus, Obodhiang virus, Puchong
virus, kotonkan virus, and Koolpinyah virus) have been identified. However, of these,
only kotonkan virus (isolated in Nigeria) has been associated with clinical ephemeral
fever in cattle.
BEFV can be transmitted from infected to susceptible cattle by IV inoculation; as little
as 0.005 mL of blood collected during the febrile stage is infective. Although the virus

has been recovered from several Culicoides species and from Anopheline and
Culicine mosquito species collected in the field, the identity of the major vectors has
not been proved. Transmission by contact or fomites does not occur. The virus does
not appear to persist in recovered cattle, which often have a lifelong immunity.
The prevalence, geographic range, and severity of the disease vary from year to
year, and epidemics occur periodically. During epidemics, onset is rapid; many
animals are affected within days or 23 wk. Bovine ephemeral fever is most
prevalent in the wet season in the tropics and in summer to early autumn in the
subtropics or temperate regions (when conditions favor multiplication of biting
insects); it disappears abruptly in winter. Virus spread appears to be limited by
latitude rather than topography or availability of susceptible hosts. Morbidity may be
as high as 80%; overall mortality is usually 1%2%, although it can be higher in
lactating cows, bulls in good condition, and fat steers (10%30%). However, reported
overall mortality rates have exceeded 10% in outbreaks in several countries in recent
years.
Clinical Findings
Signs, which occur suddenly and vary in severity, can include biphasic to polyphasic
fever (4042C [104107.6F]), shivering, inappetence, lacrimation, serous nasal
discharge, drooling, increased heart rate, tachypnea or dyspnea, atony of
forestomachs, depression, stiffness and lameness, and a sudden decrease in milk
yield. Clinical signs are generally milder in water buffalo. Affected cattle may become
recumbent and paralyzed for 8 hr to >1 wk. After recovery, milk production often fails
to return to normal levels until the next lactation. Abortion, with total loss of the
season's lactation, occurs in ~5% of cows pregnant for 89 mo. The virus does not
appear to cross the placenta or affect the fertility of the cow. Bulls, heavy cattle, and
high-lactating dairy cows are the most severely affected, but spontaneous recovery
usually occurs within a few days. More insidious losses may result from decreased
muscle mass and lowered fertility in bulls.
Lesions
Bovine ephemeral fever is an inflammatory disease. The most common lesions
include polyserositis affecting pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal surfaces;
serofibrinous polysynovitis, polyarthritis, polytendinitis, and cellulitis; and focal
necrosis of skeletal muscles. Generalized edema of lymph nodes and lungs, as well
as atelectasis, also may be present.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based almost entirely on clinical signs in an epidemic. All clinical cases
have a neutrophilia with the presence of many immature forms, although this is not

pathognomonic. Serofibrinous inflammation in the tendon sheaths, fascia, and joints,

together with pulmonary lesions, may substantiate a presumptive diagnosis.
Laboratory confirmation is by serology, rarely by virus isolation. Whole blood should
be collected from sick and apparently healthy cattle in affected herds and must be
sufficient to provide two air-dried blood smears, 5 mL of whole blood in anticoagulant
(not EDTA), and ~10 mL of serum. A differential WBC count on blood smears can
either support or refute a presumptive field diagnosis.
Virus is best isolated by inoculation of mosquito (Aedes albopictus) cell cultures with
defibrinated blood, followed by transfer to baby hamster kidney (BHK-21 or BHKBSR) or monkey kidney (Vero) cell cultures after 15 days. Suckling mice may also be
used for primary isolation by intracerebral inoculation. Isolated viruses are identified
by PCR, neutralization tests using specific BEFV antisera, and ELISA using specific
monoclonal antibodies. The neutralization test and the blocking ELISA are
recommended for antibody detection and give similar results. A 4-fold rise in antibody
titer between paired sera collected 23 wk apart confirms infection.
Treatment and Control
Complete rest is the most effective treatment, and recovering animals should not be
stressed or worked because relapse is likely. Anti-inflammatory drugs given early
and in repeated doses for 23 days are effective. Oral dosing should be avoided
unless the swallowing reflex is functional. Signs of hypocalcemia are treated as for
milk fever (see Parturient Paresis in Cows). Antibiotic treatment to control secondary
infection and rehydration with isotonic fluids may be warranted.
Attenuated virus vaccines appear to be effective but should be used only in endemic
areas. Inactivated virus vaccines have not produced longterm protection against
experimental challenge with virulent virus and cannot guarantee lasting immunity, but
they may boost the immunity produced by live virus vaccine. Although a subunit
vaccine that protects against field and laboratory challenge has been described, it is
not commercially available. The efficacy of vector control remains uncertain, because
the insect vectors have not been fully identified. There is no evidence that people
can be infected.
Last full review/revision October 2014 by Peter J. Walker, BSc, PhD, DS

Penyebab Sapi Pilek/Flu

Musim pancaroba yang biasa terjadi setiap pergantian musim sering kali meresahkan para
peternak sapi. Hawa yang terkadang dingin kemudian panas dan gerah setiap harinya membuat

daya tahan tubuh menurun, tidak hanya pada peternaknya namun juga pada sapi-sapi yang
dipeliharanya. Sapi-sapi tersebut biasanya terlihat lesu, demam dan nafsu makan menurun.
Leleran hidung yang menyertai terjadinya gejala lainnya menjadikan penyakit ini khas disebut
peternak sapi pilek atau sapi flu, sedangkan di dunia kedokteran hewan lebih umum dikatakan
sebagai penyakit demam tiga hari.

Demam 3 Hari Sapi

Penyakit yang bersinonim dengan Bovine Ephimeral Fever (BEF) ini merupakan penyakit yang
bersifat akut (terjadi dengan cepat dalam hitungan hari), dengan angka kejadian penyakit yang
tinggi, namun angka kematian dibawah 1%. BEF secara alami terdapat di benua Afrika, dan
Asia. Pada tahun 1963 diketahui mulai memasuki benua Australia yang mana disinyalir berasal
dari Indonesia.
BEF disebabkan oleh virus Rhabdovirus, satu family dengan virus penyebab penyakit Rabies.
Virus tersebut menyebar melalui bantuan vector / agen pembawa, yaitu serangga dan nyamuk.
Di dalam tubuh nyamuk, virus tidak hanya terangkut dan berpindah namun juga bertumbuh
kembang menjadi banyak. Sapi menjadi sakit apabila mengalami kontak langsung berupa gigitan
dengan vector, terlebih saat hawa berangin basah dan lembab yang dapat menyebarkan vector
hingga radius 100 Km, bahkan lebih.

Ciri-ciri Sapi Bovine Ephimeral Fever

Ciri-ciri BEF

Sapi yang mengalami BEF, akan terlihat lesu, nafsu makannya dan minumnya menurun, agak
gemetar, demam sekitar 2-40C lebih tinggi dari suhu normal, lebih sering tiduran, frekuensi nafas
dan detak jantung meningkat, terdapat leleran hidung dan mata, terjadi kepincangan sehari
setelah demam dimana kaki yang pincang dapat berbeda setiap harinya, kontraksi rumen
terhenti, kadang disertai diare atau konstipasi, dan pada sapi perah produksi terjadi penurunan
jumlah susu yang dihasilkan secara drastik.

Pencegahan dan Pengobatan BEF

Pada dasarnya tidak terdapat metode pengobatan secara khusus pada penyakit ini. Apabila
keadaan ternak baik, masih mau makan minum meski tidak sebanyak biasanya saat sehat,
demam tiga harinya akan mulai membaik di hari ke-3 dan sembuh seperti semula pada hari ke 5.
Untuk mendukung kondisi tubuh ternak dalam proses penyembuhan, pemberian vitamin A,D,E,
B dan C dalam air minum dapat dilakukan oleh peternak selama 3-5 hari.
Saat kondisi demam, sapi lebih sering memilih makanan, lebih menyukai makanan yang segar
dan berair seperti hijauan, dan mengacuhkan makanan kering seperti konsentrat. Makanan

beraroma kuat, manis dan disukai sapi seperti buah nangka dan jagung muda dapat diberikan
untuk meningkatkan nafsu makan ternak, namun tidak berlebihan, cukup sebagai topping atau
taburan diatas pakan hijauan.

Infeksi Sekunder BEF

Penyakit BEF dapat menjadi berbahaya apabila disertai dengan infeksi sekunder. Saat virus
penyebab BEF menurunkan kekebalan tubuh sapi, bakteri disekitarnya akan mudah menginfeksi
dan terjadilah demam yang semakin lama dan disertai kondisi ternak yang memburuk setiap
harinya. Oleh karena itu, apabila peternak melihat kondisi sapinya semakin lesu, atau tidak
menyentuh makanan sama sekali sehari penuh, maka sebaiknya peternak memanggil dokter
hewan setempat, sehingga dapat dilakukan terapi infeksi sekunder dan supportif pada hewan
penderita.

Introduction

Bovine Ephemeral Fever is caused by an RNA virus a rhabdovirus. Typically

there is a sudden onset of fever with a sudden milk drop. It is transmitted rapidly
with evident lameness, depression and often anorexia. Recovery is often rapid 3
day fever. Morbidity can be up to 100% but mortality is low (1-2%).
Due to its geographical distribution and association with heavy precipitation, BEF
can occur simultaneously with epizootics of Rift Valley Fever.
BEF is not zoonotic.
This disease is notifiable to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

Distribution

The virus occurs in Asia, Africa, Australia and Pacific islands. It is transmitted
by a range of insect vectors including mosquitoes and midges. This is the ONLY
route of disease transmission.
Signalment

Cattle and buffalo appear to be the only natural host of BEF. The disease is more
severe in fat, lactating and heavily pregnant cows and bulls/steers.
In tropical regions, disease occurs in the wet season, while in temperate countries,
it tends to present throughout Spring, Summer and Autumn.
When outbreaks occur annually or semi-annually, younger animals tend to be
infected and so the economic impact is often less. Hence, the less frequent
epidemics are, the more severe they tend to be.
Clinical Signs

The main clinical signs are very high fever, dehydration and animals often
refuse to drink. Many signs are attributable to the hypocalcaemia caused by BEF.
Lymphadenopathy may be a feature as well as stiffness and lameness in the limbs
with tremors/spasms and possible recumbency.
Gastrointestinal disease may present as hypomotility and constipation but
occasionally there can be diarrhoea. Pregnant cattle
may abort whilst infertility can occur in either sex. Cows may develop agalactia.
Other signs may include dullness, depression, lethargy and coma in severe cases.
Some animals develop respiratory disease and subcutaneous emphysema,
oedema and crepitation.
Hot, moist weather increases mortality in epidemics.

Mild cases - <18mo old, ocular and nasal discharge, lameness, inappetance, fever,
recovery in 1-2days.
Moderate Severe depression, recumbency, respiratory signs, salivation and
dehydration, rumenal atony, milk reduction.

Severe lateral recumbency, paralysis, reflex loss, subcutaneous emphysema,

tachycardia and tachypnoea, mortalities. Residual paralysis may remain after
resolution of fever.
Viraemia usually lasts 3-5 days after which recovery is rapid and natural immunity
is long lasting.
Diagnosis

Diagnosis is often based on clinical observations of various stages of disease

present simultaneously and history of sudden onset outbreaks on the farm or
neighbouring units.
Isolation of virus from blood taken during pyrexic phase is the gold standard
laboratory method of diagnosis, but is demanding. Molecular diagnosis is preferred
these days. The virus can also be identified by immunofluorescence or
immunostaining.
A rising antibody titre when sampled during fever and 2 weeks later is also
confirmatory.
On post-mortem, generalised inflammatory changes are evident with neutrophilic
infiltration of tissues and muscle necrosis. Straw coloured fibrinous fluid is often
present in several cavities.
Treatment

Calcium borogluconate and/or NSAIDs will resolve many clinical signs and
reduce pyrexia. All should be injected as swallowing reflex may be dysfunctional.
Draught cattle need rest for at least one week after recovery or further mortalities
may occur.
Control

Vaccines are available in Japan, Australia and South Africa. Annual boosters are
essential to maintain immunity. All are expensive for use in developing countries.
Vector control is theoretical and almost impossible. Quarantine also has no impact
upon local spread due to vector transmission. Movement regulations vary with
country and time and should be adhered to.
Cattle in good health usually recover quickly and have a long lasting immunity.

Clinical signs
There is a sudden onset of fever- as high as 41 oC compared with the normal
temperature of about 38oC. The temperature returns to normal within 36 hours. The
first sign in milking cows is a sudden and severe drop in milk production. Cows in
advanced pregnancy may abort. This is probably because of the fever, rather than a
specific effect of the virus.
Animals stop eating and drinking and become depressed. They usually drool
saliva, develop a stringy nasal discharge, and may have watery eyes.
Affected animals may shiver and often become very stiff with a shifting lameness,
and are reluctant to move. Lameness may not become apparent until the second
day of illness. The joints may appear swollen and sometimes there is swelling
around the jaw. Some animals - particularly the heavier ones - just lie down and
refuse to move.
By day three the affected animal is usually standing again and will begin to eat.
However, lameness and weakness may last for another two or three days.
In the vast majority of cases the disease runs a short course, followed by rapid and
complete recovery. However, the disease can vary in severity. Some animals may
show only slight symptoms for about 24 hours, while a small number may stay
down for many weeks. The disease is usually milder in calves under 12 months of
age.
Milk production usually drops by at least 50% in sick cows. In dairy herds it is the
highest producing animals that are usually the most severely affected. Yield should
return nearly to normal after about three weeks, but cows affected late in lactation
often dry off. Mastitis sometimes develops, with a marked rise in the somatic cell
count.
Bulls and fat cows tend to show more severe signs than other cattle. Such animals
lose condition rapidly and are slow to regain their body weight. A proportion of
bulls will suffer temporary infertility lasting from three to six months because of
the high fever. Permanent infertility is uncommon but can occur.
A small proportion of animals that go down may suffer a permanent paralysis due
to damage to the spinal cord- either as a direct effect of the virus, or due to injuries
if they fall awkwardly.

Although most of the herd can be affected, deaths from ephemeral fever are
uncommon and rarely involve more than 1% of the herd. Death is usually the result
of misadventure or being down for a long period.

How is BEF spread?

A virus known as a rhabdovirus causes BEF. It is also referred to as an arbovirus
because biting insects spread it. The most likely insects to transmit the disease in
NSW are mosquitoes, such as Culex annulirostris. Biting midges may also play a
role in disease spread, and there may be other vectors that have not been identified.
The distribution of these insects varies with climatic conditions, and this in turn
will influence the pattern of disease spread and time of occurrence.

Where does the disease occur?

Before 1975, BEF occurred infrequently in explosive epidemics that swept from
north to south throughout eastern Australia - from Queensland, sometimes to
Victoria. Large numbers of cattle were affected. These outbreaks occurred at
intervals of 10 to 15 years. In the years between these epidemics, the disease was
virtually unknown.
BEF has become established now in parts of eastern Australia, with localised
outbreaks occurring on the north coast of NSW, or in the Hunter Valley. Depending
on the seasonal conditions, the disease has then spread from these centres.
Sometimes there is a north-south moving wave of infection from Queensland
through NSW but this is now uncommon. The usual pattern consists of sporadic
cases for one or two years followed by an outbreak.
Cases in inland NSW are much less common but occasional outbreaks can occur in
the north west of the State - usually associated with spread from Queensland. The
disease is rare in southern NSW and Victoria but occasional cases have been
observed.

When does it occur?

BEF usually occurs between January and April, with the greatest number of cases
in March. However, cases can occur from December through to early June. Cases
in the winter or spring months, even in coastal districts, are rare.

Diagnosis

When an outbreak occurs in unvaccinated cattle not previously exposed to the

virus, a diagnosis of BEF can often be made based on clinical signs and the brevity
of illness.
However, when most animals are immune and occasional cases occur, laboratory
confirmation of the cause of illness may be required. Usually this is done by taking
two blood samples - one during the very early stages of the illness, and another
three weeks later. If BEF is responsible, BEF antibody levels will be much higher
in the second test than in the first.

Treatment
Medical treatment is often unnecessary for non-lactating stock. However, bulls and
high producing cows in early to peak production should be treated promptly.
Animals that have gone down should be provided with adequate shelter, water and
food, as cattle left exposed in hot weather are much more likely to die.
They should be rolled over several times a day to help avoid loss of circulation to
the underside limbs, which will result in permanent muscle damage. The heavier
the animal is, the more critical it is to get it back on its feet as quickly as possible.
Bulls, high producing dairy cows and other valuable stock that become recumbent
should be treated as soon as they are found. Any animals that go down should be
given a calcium injection as soon as possible. This will help them to rise.
The use of anti-inflammatory drugs is recommended for any animals that become
recumbent, and would be useful for any clinically affected animals. This treatment
is only available through veterinary prescription. Long withholding periods may
apply to some anti-inflammatory drugs, so read the label carefully.
BEF can impair the swallowing reflex, so affected animals should not be drenched
or force fed. This may result in the inhalation of food or water, which can cause
pneumonia.

Immunity
Once cattle have been infected with the disease, most are resistant to infection for
many years or for life. However, some animals lose immunity after a few years,
especially older animals.
Severe disease can occur in animals of any age that are introduced to districts
where the disease is frequently observed from areas where the disease is
uncommon.
Prevention

Both live and inactivated vaccines against BEF are available:

The live vaccine requires a veterinary prescription. It gives at least 12
months protection after two doses. The live vaccine is a freeze-dried
preparation that must be kept frozen and then requires reconstitution
immediately before use.
The killed vaccine is a refrigerated bulk product like most other vaccines. It
is easier to use and is cheaper, but only gives about six months protection.
With either vaccine, two doses are required four weeks apart to achieve adequate
protection. Animals can be vaccinated from six months of age and should then be
revaccinated each year to ensure continued protection.
The second dose of vaccine can be given only two weeks after the first, if
protection is required urgently. This only gives 10 weeks of protection and not all
animals are protected quickly. If the BEF season turns out to be a long one, a third
vaccination will need to be given after 10 weeks to give longer lasting protection.
The choice of vaccine will depend on:
the number of animals to be vaccinated,
the predictability of BEF outbreaks in the region in question, and
the farmers attitude to risk.
Some producers may decide to protect only their more valuable heavy animals,
such as bulls and stud cows. Others may only vaccinate if BEF occurs in cattle to
the north, or antibodies for BEF are detected in sentinel cattle close to their
properties.
Due to the severe drop in milk production, vaccination is often worthwhile in dairy
herds. Local knowledge of the frequency of outbreaks will assist decisions on the
age of stock to be vaccinated. However, vaccination of bulls and very high
producing cows is strongly recommended.
Vaccination in a commercial beef herd may or may not be worthwhile. It will
depend on the stage of the management cycle when risk occurs. For example:
Fever may cause heavily pregnant cows to abort if they are not protected.
If steers are close to finished weights, the loss of condition if they are
infected with BEF may make it economic to vaccinate (if given enough

warning). If they are not close to market weight, vaccination may not be
worthwhile.

Monitoring of arboviruses
NSW Agriculture and Local Land Services are involved in testing cattle for a
National Arbovirus Monitoring Program (NAMP). Sentinel herds at various
locations throughout Australia are blood sampled at regular intervals, to see if the
cattle have been exposed to viruses carried by insects. Insect populations are also
monitored by collections in special traps.
This allows animal health and quarantine authorities to demonstrate freedom from
certain diseases to importing countries, to satisfy export requirements, and possibly
give producers warning of the possible spread of disease south from endemic areas.

Nature of the disease

BEF is an acute infectious arthropod-born non contagious viral disease

of cattle and water buffalo characterized by transient fluctuating fever,
depression, stiffness, lameness, and rapid recovery.

The name fits the sudden onset, short course of the disease, and the
animal's abrupt recovery.

BEF incidence and severity fluctuates from year to year, depending on

the immune status of the local cattle populations from previous contact
with the disease.

BEF can causes serious economic losses through loss of condition,

marked drop in milk production in dairy herds, temporary sterility in
bulls, restrictions on the export of live cattle, and deaths which may
occur due to concurrent infection.

BEF prognosis is good where spontaneous recovery usually occurs

after 4 days "self-limiting disease" and most recovered cattle have lifelong immunity.

History and Occurrence

The disease was first recorded in East Africa in 1867. In Egypt, BEF was
first described in 1895 by piot, 1924 by Rabagliati , and subsequent outbreaks
have been occurred in summer of 1991, 2000, 2001, and 2004. BEF is widely
distributed in tropical and subtropical areas; it occurs enzootically in African
countries including Egypt , in most of Asia, Middle East countries, Australia and
Japan . It does not occur in Europe or the Americas .

Etiology

The BEF virus is a single-stranded RNA, ether-sensitive Ephemero

virus of the family Rhabdoviridae.

There are four serotypes with some antigenic variation; all of them are
closely associated with leukocyte platelet fraction of the blood.
Serological cross-reactions were detected between viruses of BEF and
other Rhabdoviruses of cattle as rabies and rabies related viruses
without significant cross protection.

BEF virus is pH-liable and the pH changes in muscles following death

as well as atmospheric temperature inactivates it, thus the virus does
not survive long out side its host.

BEF virus is best isolated on mosquito cultures inoculated

with defibrinated blood and transferred to several types of cell cultures as BHK 21 or
Vero cells after 15 days.

Hosts

Clinical disease has only been observed in cattle and water buffalo. All
age groups of cattle are susceptible but the disease is more common in
age group of 6-24 months.

Inapparent infections may occur in some wild ruminants.

Sheep, goats, and other animals are not known to become infected.

Transmission

The virus is present in blood of infected animals during the early febrile
stage.

BEF virus is transmitted by several species of culicoides and

mosquitoes. Viral development in the insect is suspected to be cyclic.
Spread by wind-born carriage of vector is possible.

Direct i.v inoculation; as little as 0.002 ml of virulent blood in susceptible

cattle is infective.

The reservoir host, other than cattle, has not been identified.

Transmission by contact or fomites does not occur.

Key signs

In cattle and buffalo, there is an incubation period 2-4 days and

sometimes longer up to 10 days, and the course 3 - 5 days. The
morbidity rate is about 35% or more, and fatality is low, seldom
exceeding 1%.

The disease can vary in severity but the vast majority of cases run a
short course, followed by rapid and complete recovery.

Clinical signs include sudden onset of fever (41-42 C) which usually

biphasic or poliphasic, shivering, inappetence, depression, lacrimation,
serous nasal discharge, and lactation may decline suddenly or
completely in dairy cows. Signs of stiffness and lameness typically occur
on the second day of the disease. Some affected cattle may become
recumbent and paralyzed for 8 hrs to more than 1 week, and a very
small number may stay down for many weeks.

Clinical signs are severe in lactating cows, heavily conditioned animals

and mature cattle.

BEF deaths are rare and could be attributed to complications arising

from being down for long periods.

BEF complications may include subcutaneous emphysema, aspiration

pneumonia, mastitis, abnormal gait, hindquarter paralysis, non-specific

abortions, and temporary infertility in bulls up to 6 months.