Prevalence and Risk Factors of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Antibodies in Dairy Herds of Bangladesh
by
, , and
Md. Saifullah Mahmud Sajeeb
1,†, 
Md. Shaffiul Alam
1,†,
Md. Nazmul Islam
1,†
,
Md. Monirul Islam
1,
Bishwo Jyoti Adhikari
2,
Shanta Islam
2,
Md. Siddiqur Rahman
1 and
A. K. M. Anisur Rahman
1,*
1
Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
2
Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(8), 739; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12080739
Submission received: 12 July 2025
/
Revised: 30 July 2025
/
Accepted: 1 August 2025
/
Published: 7 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology)
Simple Summary
We performed a cross-sectional study in Bangladesh from January 2023 to December 2024 to estimate the prevalence of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) antibodies and identify associated risk factors in dairy cattle. Bulk milk samples from 138 herds across 14 districts were screened using a commercial antibody ELISA, and we subsequently tested individual milk samples from 767 cows. The results showed that 72.5% of herds and 93.3% of cows tested were seropositive for BVDV antibodies. In some herds, all tested cows were seropositive. Larger herds (>70 cows) were significantly more likely to have higher BVD seroprevalence than smaller herds (13–23 cows). Certain semen sources were also associated with increased seropositivity. Older cows and those in poor physical condition were more likely to be seropositive, while cows producing more than 8.8 kg of milk daily were less likely to have BVDV antibodies. These findings underscore the highly endemic nature of BVDV exposure in Bangladeshi dairy herds. The study suggests the importance of regular serological screening, the use of BVDV-free semen, and targeted monitoring of high-risk animals. Improvements in nutrition and herd management may also contribute to reducing transmission and enhancing productivity.
Abstract
A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bangladesh from January 2023 to December 2024 to assess the prevalence of BVDV antibodies and associated risk factors in dairy herds. Initially, 138 bulk milk samples were collected from herds across 14 districts and screened using a commercial ELISA for BVDV antibodies. Subsequently, 767 individual milk samples were tested from cows in herds that screened positive. The overall herd-level seroprevalence was 72.5% (95% CI: 64.1–79.6), while the cow-level seroprevalence was 93.3% (95% CI: 91.3–94.9%). Within-herd seroprevalence varied from 81.8% to 100%. Herds with more than 70 cows had 31.95 times higher odds of BVDV seropositivity than those with 13–23 cows. BVD seroprevalence was significantly higher in the third, fifth, and eighth semen sources compared to the reference source. Cows older than 8 years had 4.53 times higher odds of seropositivity than those aged up to 4 years. Cows in thin physical condition had 13.02 times higher odds of seropositivity than those in normal condition. Conversely, cows producing over 8.8 kg of milk daily had a significantly lower seroprevalence of BVDV compared to those producing less than 8.8 kg, with an odds ratio of 0.41 (95% CI: 0.17–0.98). These findings suggest that BVDV exposure is widespread in dairy herds in Bangladesh. Regular serological screening, the use of semen from BVD-free bulls, and prioritizing surveillance for thin cows and low milk producers are essential. Improving nutrition, herd management, and targeted monitoring may help reduce BVDV transmission and improve herd productivity.
Keywords:
BVD; antibody cELISA; semen source; herd size; physical condition; milk yield; age
