Experiences with an ELISA for the detection of antibodies in bulk milk samples in a BVD control programme

A control programme with the aim of eliminating BVD virus from the Swedish cattle population has been in progress ess since 1993, The programme is bas ed on the determination of antibodies bz hulk milk samples using an ELISA, Persistently infected (PI) animals are identified ann eliminated, no vaccin ation is used, Based on the ELISA test values, all herds were classified in to one of four categories, Herds in categories 0 or 1 (negative or low anti body values) were considered unlikely to have had recent contrast with PI a nimals, In contrast, herds in categories 2 and 3 (high antibody values), re quired the examination of all animals in the herd to detect the PI animals, in order to eliminate them. Similar programmes are being successfully oper ated in most Scandinavian countries, This programme cannot be, recommended in count,ies such as Germany because of the greater prevalence of BVD infec tion.