Seroprevalence of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) in Indian Buffaloes

Background: Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) is an infectious disease of bovines causing respiratory problem, abortions and reduced milk yield leading to huge economic losses. IBR is endemic in India. India ranks first in buffalo population. Reports on seroprevalence of IBR in cattle in India are available but not in buffaloes. The study was aimed at conducting a seroprevalence of IBR in Indian buffaloes. Methods: A total of 1000 buffalo serum samples collected randomly from top 10 milk producing states of India and were tested for IBR antibodies using Avidin-Biotin (AB) ELISA. Result: Cumulative seropositivity was found to be 43.30%. Punjab and Andhra Pradesh states showed highest (58%) and lowest (27%) seropositivity respectively and were part of north and south zone of the country. India has highest number of buffalo population. Presently, India do not vaccinate bovines against IBR and should take call on vaccination of dairy buffalo after having witnessed a high seroprevalence of IBR. This is the first report of such kind of number of buffalo samples tested for IBR antibodies.