Detection of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus 2 as the Cause of Abortion Outbreaks on Commercial Sheep Flocks

Abstract

Outbreaks of abortions and lambs born with nervous clinical signs and/or congenital malformations affected different sheep farms in Spain. Initial diagnosis of 'border disease-like' was established, based on clinical signs, serology and/or RNA detection by a pan-pestivirus RT-PCR. However, further investigation using immunohistochemical and molecular techniques identified BVDV-2b as the aetiological agent.