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Stock farmers now have access to a new test provided by a laboratory in Northern Ireland to detect a deadly and incurable disease in sheep and cattle known as malignant catarrhal fever (MCF). This disease can often be mistaken for other common illnesses such as bluetongue, bovine viral diarrhea, and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis. The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) has introduced a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for MCF at a cost of £20, which will complement the existing MCF antibody test.

To conduct the MCF test, farmers can submit nasal swabs, organs, or whole blood samples to AFBI. Vets are encouraged to select the test from the virus detection section of AFBI’s farm animal submission form.

MCF can impact various organ systems in animals, leading to symptoms such as reduced milk yield, fever, loss of appetite, depression, and seizures. The disease primarily affects hoofed animals like sheep, cattle, and deer, with ovine herpesvirus-2 being the most common cause in the UK. Cattle affected by MCF can die within just a few days, while sheep may carry the infection without showing symptoms. It is crucial to identify and address MCF promptly to prevent further spread among livestock.

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