An outbreak of the peracute form of malignant catarrhal fever in Belgian cattle

A large outbreak of the peracute form of malignant catarrhal fever in cattle in Belgium is described. The main symptoms were nervous signs and high fever. Over a four-month period, 13 Belgian Blue yearlings and one cow died. Mortality was 16.3% of the herd. The diagnosis was confirmed by identifying ovine herpesvirus-2 DNA by PCR, both in the affected cattle and in the sheep on the farm. This case report illustrates the increasing importance of malignant catarrhal fever as a herd problem and the occurrence of the peracute form, as also reported in other European countries. It also illustrates the importance of malignant catarrhal fever as a differential diagnosis for nervous disorders in cattle.A large outbreak of the peracute form of malignant catarrhal fever in cattle in Belgium is described. The main symptoms were nervous signs and high fever. Over a four-month period, 13 Belgian Blue yearlings and one cow died. Mortality was 16.3% of the herd. The diagnosis was confirmed by identifying ovine herpesvirus-2 DNA by PCR, both in the affected cattle and in the sheep on the farm. This case report illustrates the increasing importance of malignant catarrhal fever as a herd problem and the occurrence of the peracute form, as also reported in other European countries. It also illustrates the importance of malignant catarrhal fever as a differential diagnosis for nervous disorders in cattle.A