Presence of antibodies to bovine viral diarrhea-mucosal disease virus (border disease) in sheep and goat flocks in Quebec.

A seroepidemiological study of border disease was conducted in sheep and goats in various areas of Quebec. Sera of 10% of animals of selected flocks were collected and specific antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea- mucosal disease were tested by seroneutralization. Results show that 10.9% and 16% of sheep and goats respectively gave a positive reaction. The lower serological prevalence was found in sheep flocks of the Sherbrooke area (5.4%) while the highest percentage of positive sera was observed in the Quebec area (24.7%). The prevalence in goats varied according to areas (2.6 to 45.5%). No relation was observed in seropositive animals between age, sex, breed and the presence of abortions in the flocks. Our serological results indicate that border disease is probably present in Quebec sheep and goat flocks but that the clinical diagnosis of this disease is not well established.