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Malignant
Catarrhal Fever (MCF)
What is Malignant Catarrhal
Fever (MCF)?
Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a sporadic, occasionally epizootic,
infectious disease of cattle, buffalo, and many species of wild ruminants
caused by a herpesvirus. There are two forms of the disease. The
form typically found outside of zoos in North America is associated
with sheep. It affects cattle, bison, and deer species.
The
virus affects the animals by attacking the lymph nodes and the walls
of the blood vessels throughout the entire body, therefore many organs
are affected and the appearance of the disease can be quite variable.
Transmission
of MCF:
Transmission
is thought to occur by ingestion, possibly by parturition fluid contamination
of the pasture and/or feed. The virus is transmitted from sheep
or goats to deer. There appears to be little or no transmission
from deer to deer. Therefore the deer is the dead end host of MCF.
Stress
is probably the major cause initiating the disease. The incidence
of the disease rises during winter in herds that have no protection
from the cold.
Symptoms
of MCF:
Typically the affected animal is lethargic, has a fever, cloudy
eyes, diarrhea, sores in its mouth, enlarged lymph nodes and discharge
from the eyes, mouth, and nose. The most common manifestation of
Malignant Catarrhal Fever in deer is a rapid onset of bloody diarrhea,
dark stained urine, depression, fever, and death within 48 hours.
Animals
that live longer develop the chronic head-and-eye form that is typical
of cattle. There is conjunctivitis, excessive salivation and eventually
both eyes become cloudy. These animals live for a few days to a
few weeks.
Where
is MCF found?
Worldwide
Treatment
of MCF:
There is no treatment available nor any viable control options.
Significance
of MCF:
Outbreaks of MCF in North American cervids are uncommon and are
almost always seen in captive deer. In addition to native deer, game
farming animals such as antelope, bison and other deer are susceptible
to the disease. It is normally an irreversible, fatal disease. MCF
does not occur in humans.
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