Dangerous mutations of the bovine leukemia virus in Russia: new challenges for livestock farming

Leukemia remains the leading infectious disease of cattle in the country. Research has shown that many virus mutations are undetectable by standard diagnostic methods, and up to 40% of infected animals can now develop clinical disease.

The expert noted that the source of new mutations is most often imported breeding cattle from countries such as Canada , the United States , and Germany . It is also important to consider that small ruminants can maintain virus circulation.

In light of these challenges, Russian scientists have developed a new diagnostic system, which is currently being tested and will be able to detect up to 15% of animals with virus mutations, significantly improving disease control in the future.