Abstract :
We conducted an eradication program from 2002 to 2006 against caprine
arthritis–encephalitis (CAE) virus (CAEV) in an important farm that maintained goat
breeds and had a high prevalence of CAEV infection. The program did not involve the
slaughter and replacement of entire flocks, but rather the prevention of both vertical and
horizontal transmission. The program consisted of (1) removal of kids immediately after
birth, (2) segregation of each generation, and (3) culling of positive goats in periodical
tests. All goats born before 2002 were regarded as infected and grouped into herd A. Kids
born during the program were divided into several herds on the basis of CAEV infection
risk, raised with calf milk replacer, and periodically tested by polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) and the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test. A total of 205 kids were produced
from 137 parents in herd A, 92 of which were distinctly infected. Only 11 of the 205 kids
were infected with CAEV and were culled. The remaining 194 kids and all other kids born
from other herds were negative by PCR and AGID testing throughout the program. The
milk yield of primiparous does was significantly increased after the eradication program.
These findings indicate that the combine use of isolated and milk-deprived rearing and
periodical detection testing are effective in establishing a CAEV-free flock from an infected
flock.
