Bovine Ephemera Fever (BEF) is commonly known as Three Day Sickness.
Whilst three day sickness is relatively common on the coast, frequently occurring in late summer or autumn, we have had very little virus transmission during the previous two to three years of drought. Producers should be prepared that any cattle born on or introduced to the coast particularly after autumn 2017 (last period of BEF transmission) could be affected by three day sickness until mosquitos disappear with cold
weather.
Cattle older than about four years, that were born on the coast, most likely have been infected before and probably have good immunity.
BEF causes a short but significant fever, drooling, shivering, a discharge from eyes and nose, lameness and muscular soreness. Animals may become recumbent for a day or two. For the most part, BEF is a mild transient illness hence the name ‘three day sickness’. But some animals can be more significantly affected and cattle deaths can result. Thus the disease and the
need to manage cases shouldn’t be underestimated.
In particular heavy animals such as bulls and big cows may be most severely affected. A transient infertility in bulls can occur and a small proportion of pregnant cows can abort, presumably from the high fever.
To find out more about caring for stock affected by BEF please watch Dr Stone’s video ‘Managing Bovine Ephemeral Fever’, contact your private veterinarian or Local Land Services vets on 1300 795 299.
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Arboviral infection of ruminants characterized by stiffness and decreased milk production.
Also called as 3 day Fever/3 day stiffness
Cattle Dengue.
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