Seroprevalence of Bovine Herpes Virus-1 among Cattle and Buffaloes in Central Kerala, India

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted during 2016-17, for assessing the seroprevalence of Bovine Herpes Virus-1 among cattle and buffaloes maintained in organised and unorganised farms in Thrissur and Palakkad districts of Kerala, India. A total of 600 animals including 517 cattle and 83 buffaloes were included in the study. The sera samples from the animals were subjected to Avidin Biotin Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (AB-ELISA) for detection of antibodies to BHV-1. Screening of serum samples from 600 animals showed an overall positive reaction of 12.0 per cent. Among 517 cattle including 21 vechur cows 55 animals including 3 Vechur cows showed positive reaction (10.63 per cent). Among 83 buffaloes 17 (20.48) were positive for antibodies to BHV-1. Even though the rate of prevalence was low, the detection of antibodies to BHV-1 clearly demonstrated the establishment of infection among cattle and buffaloes in central Kerala.