Transmission of Bovine Herpesvirus-1

BoHV-1 can be transmitted directly by infected animals or indirectly e.g. via contaminated materials. Direct transmission is the main source of transmission of the virus.

Direct Transmission

Bovine Herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) is transmitted oronasally. After replication in the nasal mucosae, BoHV-1 becomes latent in peripheral sensory ganglia, where it remains during the lifetime of the animal.

Stress or corticosteroid treatment can lead to the reactivation and shedding of BoHV-1. This may or may not be accompanied by clinical signs of the disease.

Each animal once infected with BoHV-1 is potentially a lifelong shedder of the virus. The virus can be reactivated any moment in the life of the animal and therefore poses a risk for its BoHV-1 free herd mates.

Indirect transmission

The virus can also be indirectly transmitted by:

• Contaminated semen
• Embryo transfer
• Humans
• Contaminated materials
• Airborne transmission
  

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