The farm had four recent BVD positive calves that were from ‘Trojan’ dams.
Two animals that were brought to Limerick regional veterinary laboratory (RVL) in March have been found to be positive for Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD).
The animals, a six-year-old Friesian-cross cow and a two-week-old Hereford-cross calf, were brought for post mortem after showing no response to previous treatments for diarrhoea and pneumonia.
The farmer noted that several animals in the herd also showed similar effects.
The farm had four recent BVD positive calves that were from ‘Trojan’ dams (a pregnant animal that is not persistently infected (PI) with the disease, but carries a PI calf). These were bought in animals.
PCR tests
PCR tests revealed strong positive results for BVD for the two animals examined.
BVD incidence in Ireland has continued to show a worrying trend. Up to week 23 of 2025, there was a 52% increase in BVD positive calves, according to a recent report from Animal Health Ireland (AHI).
The RVL report said: "This case highlights the importance of farm biosecurity measures and the risks associated with buying in animals and the spread of infection."
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Two animals that were brought to Limerick regional veterinary laboratory (RVL) in March have been found to be positive for Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD).
The animals, a six-year-old Friesian-cross cow and a two-week-old Hereford-cross calf, were brought for post mortem after showing no response to previous treatments for diarrhoea and pneumonia.
The farmer noted that several animals in the herd also showed similar effects.
The farm had four recent BVD positive calves that were from ‘Trojan’ dams (a pregnant animal that is not persistently infected (PI) with the disease, but carries a PI calf). These were bought in animals.
PCR tests
PCR tests revealed strong positive results for BVD for the two animals examined.
BVD incidence in Ireland has continued to show a worrying trend. Up to week 23 of 2025, there was a 52% increase in BVD positive calves, according to a recent report from Animal Health Ireland (AHI).
The RVL report said: "This case highlights the importance of farm biosecurity measures and the risks associated with buying in animals and the spread of infection."
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