This document discusses bovine ephemeral fever, a viral disease affecting cattle. It is transmitted by biting insects like sand flies and midges. Symptoms include sudden high fever, lameness, decreased milk production, and muscle stiffness. The disease has an incubation period of 2-10 days and most animals recover within 3 days, though milk production may take longer to return to normal. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and can be confirmed via virus isolation or serological tests. Treatment focuses on pain relief and addressing calcium levels. Vaccination is recommended in endemic areas to protect valuable cattle.

1. EPHIMERAL FEVER
Dr Ashish Tanwer
Teaching Associate
V. C.C, C.V.A.S Bikaner

2. SYNONYM AND INTRODUCTION
Synonym :-
Three-day sickness, 3-day fever, Dragon Boat disease
Introduction:-
• Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) is a benign acute, non-contagious,
arthropod-borne viral disease of cattle and water buffalo
characterized by sudden onset, lameness and quick recovery with
high morbidity and low mortality.
• This disease occurs in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa,
Asia and Australia.
• The BEF virus belongs to the genus Rhabdovirus. This virus is
related to dengue fever virus in human.
•

4. All breeds of cattle are susceptible.
• Among the cattle, 6 months to 2 years are more susceptible.
• This disease is prevalent both in indigenous and exotic breeds
of cattle as well as water buffalo.
• The disease is not reported in goat, sheep, pig and dog. Virus
transmitted mainly by sand flies (Ceratopogonidae family).
• Mosquitoes (Aedes, Anophles and Culex), and biting midges
are playing a major role in transmission. • Strong wind can
transport vectors for longer distances.
• Epizootics associated with recent rainfall. The virus does not
spread by any other modes.

5. Signs of bovine ephemeral fever

6. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS :-
• The incubation period is 2 to 10 days
• Calves are least affected, those less than 6 months of age showing
no clinical signs.
• After an incubation period of 2-10 days, there is sudden onset of
fever. A biphasic or triphasic fever and sharp fall in milk yield are
commonly observed.
• There is severe ruminal stasis followed by constipation.
• Muscular signs become more evident on the second day with severe
stiffness.

8. • Swellings in shoulders neck and back may be seen. A
posture similar to that of acute laminitis, with all four feet
bunched under the body is characteristic.
• On the third day the animal begins eating and ruminating
and the febrile reaction disappears
• Some animals remains standing in acute stage and exhibit
sternal recumbence associated with hypocalcaemia (Milk
fever posture). Most recovered animals develop a solid
immunity.
• The morbidity rate may reach 100% and the fatality rate
is 1%. Milk yield returns to normal within 2 to 3 weeks.

10. POST DISEASE COMPLICATIONS AND LESIONS
Post disease complications:-
• Fall in milk yield
• Increased susceptibility to mastitis
• Delay in next estrus
• Pneumonia due to prolonged recumbency
Lesions:-
• Enlargement and edema of the lymph nodes
• Polysinovitis, tendovaginitis and periarthritis
• Pulmonary and pleural congestion
• Edema and haemorrhages of the brain and meninges
• Necrotic changes in the skeletal muscle.

12. DIAGNOSIS :-
• Sample of choice - Blood (Buffy coat) and serum is the highly
suitable specimen.
• Based on clinical signs - rapid and short course affecting a large
number of cattle in an area
• Virus isolation - By intracerebral inoculation of mice or hamster
or isolation in cell culture such as Baby hamster kidney cell lines
and monkey kidney cell lines.
• Other tests - CFT, AGID, FAT, ELISA

13. • Based on clinical pathology - Increased level of plasma
fibrinogen and decreased serum calcium level, high level
of creatinine kinase and marked leukocytosis
Differential diagnosis :-
• Laminitis
• Milk fever

15. PREVENTION AND CONTROL
• Treatment revolves around the generalized inflammation and the
depression of serum calcium.
• The inflammation can be treated with phenylbutazone given
intramuscularly for eight hourly periods of up to 3 days depending
on response.
• Treatment with calcium borogluconate is warranted when signs
of hypocalcemia are present.
• Supplementary antibiotic treatments to avoid secondary
pneumonia or mastitis are warranted.

17. • Vector control is usually impractical in endemic areas. In
endemic areas, it is important to immunize cattle;
particularly highly valuable animals.
• Both formalin killed and attenuated vaccines are
available. Calves aged more than six months vaccinated.
• Trials have been carried out using a limited vaccine based
on the envelope-glycoprotein has been developed.

18. Thanks