Virus Neutralizing Anitbodies to Bovine Herpes Virus Type 1 (BHV-1), Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) and Rinderpest (RPV) Viruses in Smallholder East African Zebu Cattle in Coastal Kenya

Abstract

A total of 511 sera samples were collected from Small East African Zebu (EAZ) cattle on 32 smallholder farms in Malindi Division, Kilifi District, Coast Province of Kenya. They were assayed using the standard virus neutralization test (VNT) for antibodies to rinderpest (RPV) and some rinderpest-like diseases namely bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) and bovine herpes virus type 1 9BHV-1). The overall estimated prevalences were 10.2%, 45.8% and 28.6%, respectively.

A significant increase (p<0.001) in seroconversion rates, with respect to animal age classes, was observed for BHV-1. BVD specific antibodies were found at similar rates (p<0.05) in all age groups.

The low levels of protective antibodies to RPV in these cattle indicates inadequate vaccination and reflects a population at risk should any rinderpest outbreak occur.


The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 18 (1) 1994: pp. 21-24