Cornous Biology | Volume 4 Issue 3 | Pages: 1-7 | Doi : 10.37446/corbio/ra/4.3.2026.1-7

Review Article

OPEN ACCESS | Published on : 31-Aug-2026

Bovine ephemeral fever virus in cattle: clinical manifestations and diagnostic approaches

• Zaid Nadhim Mohammed
• Ministry of Education, Babylon Education Directorate, Babylon, Iraq.

Mahdi Hamzah Khashan
• Intermediate Evening School, Educational Directorate of Babylon, Al-Qasim City, Babylon, Iraq.

Ahmed Hamzah Mosa
• Department of Internal and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, AL-Qasim Green University, Babylon 51013, Iraq.

Abstract

Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) also known as three-day Sickness, is acute viral disease that primarily infects cattle and leads to severe economic losses in the livestock industry in Iraq, as well as neighbouring countries. The manifestation of the disease can lead to sudden onset of fever, lameness, reduced milk production, and general lethargy. This disease is thought to spread via arthropod vectors (principally mosquitoes and biting flies); thus, high summer temperatures and high humidity enable the disease to spread quickly from animal to animal during periods of high vector activity. Periodic outbreaks of BEF occur in Iraq, Syria, Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia and, therefore; epidemic preparedness is essential in this area. The diagnosis of BEF is generally determined by clinical signs, geographical location, and case history; however, laboratory tests, such as RT-PCR and ELISA, can accurately confirm infection in animals suspected of being infected with BEF. Some of the control measures that can help manage BEF are vaccination, veterinary treatment of affected animals and vector control. While BEF is associated with low mortality, the economic implications resulting from losses in productivity and high veterinary expenses are severe. BEF control must therefore be a regional effort by all stakeholders willing to share their resources for the various ways of BEF surveillance, control and vaccination as well as to contain the spread of BEF and secure food supplies for livestock products.

Keywords

Iraq, virus, BEF, PCR, disease, BEF

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