Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Veterinary, para-veterinary and allied animal and human health professionals and students.

Online Course

• Module 1 - Introduction to Herpesviridae (read text)
• Module 2 - Malignant catarrhal fever: Introduction, Aetiology, Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Immunology, Clinical signs, Pathology, Diagnosis, Differential Diagnosis (2 CPD points)

This online CPD course has been designed to provide easy access to updated scientific information on bovine malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) for a wide range of learners with different interest in the disease.

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a generally fatal viral disease of domestic cattle and wildlife including multiple species of deer, American and European bison, water buffalo and certain captive and farmed antelope and domestic pigs.

The growing number of gammaherpesviruses in the MCF virus group that present a challenge to diagnosticians and researchers are discussed. Ten such agents are recognized as of 2018. Six of 10 MCFVs cause mild to severe disease in poorly adapted host species. Alcelaphine herpesvirus 1 (AlHV-1) and ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2) infections are the most important economically. The natural hosts of AlHV-1 are wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus and C. gnou). Alcelaphine herpesvirus 1 causes the ‘African’ or wildebeest-associated form of MCF (WA-MCF). Disease can be seen anywhere wildebeest are kept near domestic cattle and other clinically susceptible species.

No commercial vaccines are available to control MCF in cattle, bison or deer species. 

The test does not include questions on virological and molecular details of the structure and function of the virus or details of the pathogenesis, immunology and diagnostic tests. The learner will be able to study and complete the course material and online test at his/her own pace.

After completion of the course the learner will have a sound knowledge of MCF and will be able to:

• understand and discuss the most important features of the aetiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, pathology, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and control or prevention of MCF.
• point out the differences and similarities of wildebeest-associated and sheep-associated MCF in terms of risks of infections, clinical disease in cattle versus bison and deer, and the role that wildebeest calves and lambs play in the transmission and spread of the disease in farming systems.
• have a perspective of the gammaherpesviruses in the MCF virus group in different hosts and their pathogenicity.
• understand the socio-economic importance MCF in cattle, and bison and deer species under different farming systems.
• discuss the differential diagnosis for MCF.
• explain the collection, storage and shipment of specimens for diagnostic purposes and will have a basic understanding of the different diagnostic tests that are applicable to confirm MCF in both live and dead animals.
• understand the current status in the development of vaccines to control MCF and the options to prevent or control the disease.

Some of the modules will have a multiple-choice test, while others are read for information.

Module 2: Malignant catarrhal fever
South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)
2 CPD Points
AC/2198/19

In order to qualify for CPD points, the learner will be required to complete the course and pass the multiple-choice test with 80%.