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SAC Welcome Progress in Understanding Bleeding Calf Syndrome – Farmers Urged to Continue Action Against BVD

SAC News Release Ref. No: 11N51
Published: 02 May 2011

Cow and calves (opens in new window)

SAC welcomes the recent announcement of Pfizer/VMD about the occurrence of the newly recognised disease of young calves, Bovine Neonatal Pancytopaenia (BNP) or “Bleeding Calf Syndrome”. The Disease Surveillance Centres (DSC) of SAC were the first to recognise the condition in the British Isles in April 2009. Since then our veterinary staff have confirmed the disease in over 150 beef and dairy herds.

Affected calves can have a persistent fever with bleeding from the nose, gums, ear-tag holes and injection sites. There may be intestinal bleeding with calves passing dark, tarry dung. Most calves were growing well before showing clinical signs, with no history of previous problems. While calves can recover, some die suddenly, before bleeding is recognised.

The cause of BNP was unknown. In 2010 DEFRA sponsored a large GB-wide study to explore many aspects of the disease. The VLA, SAC and the Moredun Research Institute participated in the study. The results of this study are still being analysed. Other research suggests a association between vaccination of cows in a breeding herd with Pregsure BVD and the occurrence of BNP in calves.

As a precautionary measure Pfizer voluntarily stopped selling Pregsure BVD vaccine in the EU in June 2010, and the EU suspended its authorisation in July 2010. Consequently, the product is no longer marketed in the EU.

Now, in a recent, more detailed statement, Pfizer has said:

“While investigations have looked at a wide range of different causes, research suggests that the consumption of colostrum by the calf may be a key triggering event for the occurrence of BNP. At the moment, the most prevalent hypothesis under discussion is an immunopathological reaction due to alloreactive antibodies (antibodies to “self”) which are transferred to the calves via colostrum. Research has reported that these antibodies may be being stimulated by cell components present in the vaccine as a normal consequence of vaccine production. Further scientific experiments are ongoing to more fully understand the implications of this hypothesis and a possible mode of action.

Pfizer has issued guidance to farmers on the management of calves.

According to Brian Hosie, Head of SAC Consulting, Veterinary Services:

”Our detection of BNP in 2009 confirms the value of our disease surveillance activities in identifying a new disease condition in Scottish livestock. Now we have a better understanding of the disease through our working in partnership with veterinary practitioners, their farmer clients and researchers in Britain and overseas. Farmers should not be deterred from using vaccination to assist them control BVD as part of the Scottish Government’s campaign to eradicate this important disease of cattle from Scotland. They should discuss the appropriate use of BVD vaccines and the control of BVD with their own vet. Likewise they should report any unusual illness and unexpected losses to their vet who may arrange for the submission of samples including carcases to one of SAC’s Disease Surveillance Centres for detailed investigation.”

SAC has worked with AHVLA and other organisations in a case-control study and research into the underlying pathology of BNP. The results of these investigations will be published in the coming year.

Contact Brian Hosie on 0131 535 3138 or George Caldow on 01835 822456.

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News Release Contacts

SAC Contact

Mr Brian Hosie
Veterinary Services Group Manager
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC Consulting: Veterinary Services, Allan Watt Building, Bush Estate,
Penicuik
EH26 0QE
TelWork 0131 535 3140
MobileWork 07803 222366
Fax 0131 535 3322

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News Release Issued By

Mr Ken Rundle
Senior Communications Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4196

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