IBR and IPV in cattle

Updated 19.05.2025

Norway is regarded as free from infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and infectious pustular vulvovaginitis.

The aim of the surveillance programme for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IPV) is to document freedom from the infection in Norway according to the demands in ESA Decision 74/94/COL, and to contribute to the maintenance of this favourable situation.

Background

Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and infectious pustular vulvovaginitis is a disease caused by bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1). The virus affects the upper respiratory tract of cattle causing purulent nasal discharge, hyperaemia of the muzzle and conjunctivitis. Signs of general illness are fever, depression, reduced appetite, abortions and reduced milk yield. The virus may also infect the genital tract and cause pustular vulvovaginitis and balanoposthitis. IBR/IPV is classified as a list B disease in Norway and is notifiable to the Office International des Epizooties.

Norway has not experienced clinical outbreaks of infectious pustular vulvovaginitis since the early 1960s, when two outbreaks were diagnosed in cattle. In 1993, animals in one single herd were found seropositive after primary testing of bulk milk samples. All animals on the farm were slaughtered. Contact herds, dairy herds in the same region and red deer that were shot the same year were found seronegative. Later, BHV-1 infection has not been demonstrated in Norway.

EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has recognised Norway as free from IBR since 1994. Decisions concerning the additional guarantees relating to IBR/IPV for bovines destined for Norway are described in ESA Decision 74/94/COL. Maintenance of the ESA Decisions accepting the IBR-free status of Norway requires annual reports of the surveillance of the disease.

2023

All samples tested in 2023 were negative for antibodies against bovine herpes virus (BHV-1).

Download report

IBR and IPV in cattle 2023 (pdf 682kb)

Previous reports

IBR and IPV in cattle 2022 (pdf 639kb)
IBR and IPV in cattle 2021 (pdf 635kb)
IBR and IPV in cattle 2020 (pdf 632kb)
IBR and IPV in cattle 2019 (pdf 646kb)
IBR and IPV in cattle 2018 (pdf 784kb)
IBR and IPV in cattle 2017 (pdf 772kb)
IBR and IPV in cattle 2016 (pdf 749kb)
IBR and IPV in cattle 2015 (pdf 1mb)
IBR and IPV in cattle 2014 (pdf 533kb)
IBR and IPV in cattle 2013 (pdf 1mb)
IBR and IPV in cattle 2012 (pdf 1mb)
IBR and IPV in cattle 2011 (pdf 855kb)
IBR and IPV in cattle 2010 (pdf 597kb)
IBR and IPV in cattle 2009 (pdf 622kb)
IBR and IPV in cattle 2008 (pdf 499kb)
IBR and IPV in cattle 2007 (p. 49) (pdf 6mb)
IBR and IPV in cattle 2006 (p. 49) (pdf 3mb)
IBR and IPV in cattle 2005 (p. 49) (pdf 4mb)
IBR and IPV in cattle 2004 (p. 53) (pdf 4mb)
IBR and IPV in cattle 2003 (p. 51) (pdf 6mb)