Final Risk Analysis - Biosecurity New Zealand

12. Bovine Rhinovirus Infection
12.1. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
12.1.1. Aetiological agent
Family: Picornaviridae; Genus: Rhinovirus, serotypes 1-3.
12.1.2. OIE list
Not listed.
12.1.3. New Zealand status
Unknown. Bovine rhinovirus has not been identified in New Zealand although it is considered
likely to be ubiquitous.
12.1.4. Epidemiology
Bovine rhinoviruses are commonly isolated from the nasal cavities of cattle (Sellers, 1990).
The virus occurs in cattle in Germany, England, the USA, Japan, and Sudan (Sellers, 1990;
Thomson, 2004), but its distribution is suspected to be world-wide. There are no reports of the
virus being recovered from other species. A study of 1,590 cases of respiratory infection,
found no significant association between the presence of bovine rhinovirus and disease (Stott
et al., 1980). 48% of cattle in a study by Mohanty (1973) were seropositive for bovine
rhinovirus (Thomson, 2004).
Experimental infection causes rhinitis and signs of infection include fever, inappetance,
lacrymation, conjunctivitis, and nasal discharge (Sellers, 1990; Thomson, 2004). Although
lower respiratory infections may occur, it is unproven that the virus is the primary cause of
such syndromes and mixed infections with other respiratory viruses may be involved in these
cases (Sellers, 1990; Thomson, 2004).
12.1.5. Hazard identification conclusion
It is concluded that bovine rhinovirus occurs in both healthy cattle and those showing signs of
respiratory disease. There is no evidence that it is a significant primary pathogen, but may
play a role in some respiratory infections in conjunction with other respiratory pathogens. It is
likely that it occurs ubiquitously and since no surveys have been reported to identify the virus
or antibody to it, it may already be present in New Zealand. There is no evidence to suggest
that it is a cause of economically important disease. Therefore, bovine rhinovirus is not
considered to be a potential hazard in the commodity.
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand Import Risk Analysis: Cattle from Australia, Canada, the EU & the USA ● 39