Viral diseases in animals
Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) supports the Dutch government and business life by performing diagnostic tests and scientific research and giving policy recommendations for prevention and control of (notifiable) infectious viral animal diseases. Many of these diseases are transmissible to humans (zoonoses).
WBVR is national reference institute for bovine leucosis, infectious bovine rhinotracheitisand the diseases below.
Take a look at our research on:
African horse sickness
African horse sickness is a highly fatal, non-contagious, notifiable viral disease of horses and other equidae such as donkeys and zebras. The main route of infection is the bite of flies (midges) infected with the African horse sickness virus. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) carries out research into this disease.
African swine fever (ASF)
African swine fever (ASF) is an infectious viral disease in domestic pigs and other pig-like animals such as wild boar. The disease can result in up to 100% fatalities in a population. The virus is not dangerous for humans. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) conducts research into this disease.
Bluetongue
Bluetongue (BT) is a non-contagious viral disease of sheep and other ruminants such as cattle and goats. The main route of infection is the bite of flies (midges) infected with the bluetongue virus (BTV). Sick animals cannot directly infect each other, and the disease can not be transmitted to humans. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) conducts research into this disease.
BRSV
Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) conducts extensive research into the immunopathology of Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV).
Coronavirus
A large variety of coronaviruses exist naturally and can cause diseases in many animal species. Several coronaviruses are zoonoses: they are able to infect humans. SARS-CoV-2 transferred from animals to humans in Wuhan (China) late 2019, and is responsible for the COVID-19 disease.
Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever
Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a bunya virus transmitted from animals to humans via ticks. In humans, the virus can cause serious illness, typified by haemorrhages accompanied by high fever. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) conducts research on this disease.
Equine infectious anaemia
Equine infectious anaemia (EIA) is a viral infectious disease that causes anaemia and is associated with recurrent periods of fever.
Equine viral arteritis
Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is an infectious viral disease that occurs in horses worldwide. The disease is caused by the equine arteritis virus (EAV) and is mainly transferred through breath. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) studies this disease.
Hepatitis E
Hepatitis E is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV). HEV occurs sporadically in developed countries, primarily in the genotypes 3 and 4, which originate in animals. Infection with HEV often progresses in general without symptoms. The infection can also lead to an acute liver infection that often causes more serious complications, especially in immunocompromised people.
Classical swine fever
Classical swine fever (CSF) or hog cholera is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs and wild boar. The virus is harmless to humans. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research conducts research on this disease.
Lumpy skin disease
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) or nodular dermatosis is a notifiable viral disease of cattle. The disease is caused by a pox virus of the genus Capripox virus. Spread through (in)direct contact with body fluids is the main route of infection, and biting insects can also transmit the virus. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) conducts research into this disease.
Foot-and-mouth disease
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a contagious viral disease that can spread very rapidly of cloven-hoofed animals. Among these are domestic animals such as cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats and pigs, as well as antelope, bison and other wild bovids, including deer. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research conducts research on this disease.
Newcastle disease
Newcastle disease (ND) is a contagious disease affecting many species of birds. Infection with this virus occurs through contact with sick birds, contaminated material or the air. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) conducts research into this disease.
Peste des petit ruminants
Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a notifiable and serious viral disease of small ruminants, such as goats and sheep. Infection occurs through direct contact or intensive indirect contact between sick and susceptible animals. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) conducts research into this disease.
Porcine epidemic diarrhea
Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a serious viral disease in pigs. The main route of transmission is by manure and transport. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research conducts research on this disease.
Blue ear disease (PRRS)
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a viral disease caused by the PRRS virus. The virus is transmitted largely through direct contact with infected pigs. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) carries out research into this disease.
Rabies
Rabies (lyssa) is one of the oldest known zoonotic diseases, meaning that the disease can be transferred from animals to humans. Humans and animals can get rabies through the saliva of infected animals, when bitten, scratched or licked.
Rift Valley fever
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a viral zoonosis that primarily affects animals but also has the capacity to infect humans. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) conducts research on this disease.
Rinderpest
Rinderpest is a notifiable and very serious viral disease of ruminants. Infection occurs through direct contact or intensive indirect contact between sick and susceptible animals. Since 2011, the entire world has been officially declared free of rinderpest. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) performs diagnostics for this disease.
Sheep pox and goat pox
Sheep and goat pox (SGP) is a notifiable viral disease of small ruminants. Animals infect each other through direct contact and through manure, saliva, nasal secretions, skin injuries and dander. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) conducts research into this disease.
Schmallenberg
Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is a virus to which ruminants such as cows, sheep and goats are susceptible. Midges (small mosquitoes) transmit the virus from animal to animal. The virus is not contagious to humans. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) conducts research into this disease.
Avian influenza (bird flu)
On this page, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WVBR) informs you about the latest bird flu (avian influenza) developments in the Netherlands. This research institute performs diagnostics for bird flu and advises the Dutch government on preventive measures.
West Nile fever
West Nile fever is caused by the West Nile virus (WNV). It is transmitted by mosquito species that are present in large numbers in warmer climate areas, but can also be present in areas with mild temperatures. Mosquitoes, birds, mammals and humans can be infected. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) conducts research into this disease.
Aujeszky's disease
Aujeszky's disease is an extremely infectious viral disease in pigs. The virus is transmitted primarily via direct contact, but indirect contact and transmission via the air can also play a role. Other mammals can become infected, but humans are not susceptible. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research carries out research into this disease.