IBR proves a highly infectious virus

IBR made the news recently as the cause of quarantine and slaughter of many of the country’s top AI bulls due to an outbreak of the disease at the National Cattle Breeding Centre in Co Meath.

It is a highly infectious virus mainly causing respiratory disease, but most cattle recover.

There is evidence of infection in about 80% of Irish herds, and a similar level is likely in suckler herds. Vaccination is practiced in about 12% of Irish dairy herds.