Epizootiological survey of parainfluenza-3, reovirus-3, respiratory syncytial and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis viral antibodies in sheep and goat flocks in Quebec.

A serological survey was conducted in an attempt to detect antibodies against bovine respiratory viruses in sheep and goats from seven geographical areas of Quebec. Sera from 10% of the animals in 182 sheep flocks and 40 goat flocks were collected and specific antibodies against parainfluenza-3, reovirus type 3, respiratory syncytial and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis viruses were detected by hemagglutination-inhibition tests for the former viruses and complement fixation and seroneutralization assays for the latter viruses. Results showed prevalence rates of serological reaction to parainfluenza-3, reovirus type 3 and respiratory syncytial viruses of 28, 72 and 35% in sheep and 26, 64 and 36% in goats, respectively. No antibodies in infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus were detected in sheep or goats tested. Prevalence rates varied according to the geographical area. No relationships were detected between age, sex, breed, size of flock and prevalence rates of different antibodies except that parainfluenza-3 antibodies were more common in large goat flocks and in sheep flocks with total confinement housing. A relationship between presence of clinical signs in the flocks and prevalence rates of antibodies was only demonstrated for parainfluenza-3 infection in goat flocks.