Spread dynamics of bovine leukosis on breeding farms in the Republic of Dagestan

Introduction. The problem of bovine leukosis on breeding farms in the Republic of Dagestan has been a pressing issue since the mid-1960s. Due to the fact that the coverage of planned serological testing did not exceed 1–2% of the existing population of susceptible animals, there was no clear understanding of the scale of leukosis spread.

Objective. Analysis of the current situation regarding the spread of bovine leukosis on breeding farms in the Republic of Dagestan.

Materials and methods. Animals infected with the bovine leukemia virus were identified using the agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID). Animal disease control  measures were assessed in accordance with the new “Veterinary Rules for the Implementation of Preventive, Diagnostic, Restrictive and Other Measures as well as for the Imposition and Release of Quarantine and Other Restrictions Aimed at Containing Bovine Leukosis as well as at Eradicating its Outbreaks” approved by Order No. 156 of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia of March 24, 2021.

Results. The bovine leukemia virus infection rate in animals in the period 2009–2017 ranged from 0.1 to 77.3%. With the adoption of the subprogram “Prevention and Eradication of Bovine Leukosis  on Farms in the Republic of Dagestan” (2018–2020) under the republican target program, serological testing coverage has increased by more than 5.7 times over the past seven years, and the detection rate of new seropositive animals has decreased from 23.6 to 0.1% in 2024.

Conclusion. Epizootological analysis revealed a heterogeneous structure and dynamics of the bovine leukosis spread in cattle. The system of measures aimed at prevention and eradication of bovine leukosis in cattle implemented in the Republic of Dagestan has led to sustainable stabilization of the disease situation and a reduction in the infection rate in animals on breeding farms. Owing to the veterinary service’s systematic efforts to eradicate the viral infection, breeding farms are now completely free from bovine leukosis. Health improvement work, including the use of serological diagnostics and immediate culling of AGID-positive animals, continues.

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