|
|||||
|
|
Seroprevalence of Louping Ill virus (LIV) antibodies in sheep submitted for post mortem examination in the North West of Ireland in 2011 |
|
| Authors: | Damien Barrett Daniel M Collins Guy McGrath Colm ó Muireagain |
| Affiliation: | 1.Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, Sligo Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Doonally, Sligo, Ireland;2.Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Dublin, Ireland |
| Abstract: | Blood samples were collected opportunistically at routine post mortem examination from 199 sheep which came from 152 flocks. The location of each submitting flock was mapped. Sera were tested using a goose blood haemagglutination inhibition assay for louping ill virus. There was an animal level prevalence of 8.5%, and a flock level prevalence of 9.8%. The greatest proportion of seropositive animals was identified among the animals older than 24 months of age. The elevation of the land associated with positive flocks was greater than that of negative flocks. Lesions of non-suppurative meningoencephalitis were observed in three of the 199 animals. |
| Keywords: | Louping Ill Sheep Routine post mortem Prevalence Ireland |