Clayton L. Kelling, DVM, PhD
University of Nebraska
Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus in North American Alpaca Herds
11/01/05 to 5/3108
Total funding - $20,500
Funded by the Mid-Atlantic Alpaca Association (MaPaca)
The major goal of this
study is to determine the proportion of North American alpaca herds that are
infected with BVDV by testing for the live virus as well as antibodies to the
virus in crias under the age of 6 months. Participation of 200 herds will be
needed to complete the study. If the virus is found to be active in a herd,
further testing will be conducted to determine whether persistently infected
carriers of the virus are present in the herd. In addition, the investigators
will develop and help implement a plan for eliminating carrier animals and
establishing BVDV-free herd status. Cost effective monitoring strategies will
be developed whereby owners can certify their herds as BVDV-free.