Malignant Catarrhal Fever PCR test now available from AFBI

Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF) is a severe disease of cattle, deer and other hoofed animals and AFBI now offer a MCF PCR to detect virus nucleotides that compliments the existing MCF antibody test.

In the UK and Ireland MCF is most commonly caused by Ovine Herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2) infection and is commonly found in sheep, who are lifelong carriers, but are often undetected as the infection is subclinical. However, MCF in cattle can result in a morbidity rate of >95%, with death occurring within 5-10 days of clinical onset. No vaccine or specific treatments are currently available.

Whilst transmission from sheep to cattle is poorly understood, it is recognised that pregnant or recently lambed sheep and neonatal lambs pose the greatest risk of spreading MCF to cattle, so avoidance of co-grazing or housing of sheep and cattle together is recommended.

MCF can affect multiple organ systems, including respiratory, gastrointestinal, neurological, and skin. Symptoms can appear months after initial contact, and they can include:
 

• Reduced milk yield
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Depression
• Enlargement of all lymph nodes
• Corneal opacity
• Discharge from the eyes and nose
• Crusting and ulceration of the mucous membranes and skin
• Seizures

As some of the clinical signs are like those seen in other diseases such as BVD, severe IBR and Bluetongue, it is important to discuss such cases with your PVP. MCF can be confirmed through laboratory testing at AFBI.

The AFBI MCF PCR can be performed on the following sample types submitted through your PVP;
 

• Nasal swabs (charcoal, plain and swabs in VTM). PREFERABLE.
• Whole blood in an EDTA tube or heparin vacutainer.
• Organs.

The cost of MCF PCR is £20.00.

PVPs should select this test from the Virus Detection section of our farm animal submission form

For any further enquiries please contact DSIBSample.Enquiries@afbini.gov.uk

Notes to editors: 

AFBI is an arms-length body of DAERA delivering research and development, diagnostic and analytical testing, emergency response capability and expert scientific advice for DAERA and other government departments, public bodies and commercial companies in Northern Ireland, and further afield.

AFBI’s Vision is “Advancing the Local and Global Agri-Food Sectors Through Scientific Excellence”.

AFBI’s core areas:

• Leading improvements in the agri-food industry;
• Protecting animal, plant and human health;
• Enhancing the natural and marine environment.

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