Enzootic bovine leukosis in tunisia assessment of the situation in seven farms in the organized sector

Enzootic bovine leukemia is a disease of cattle in which the epidemiological cause of the disease is bovine leukosis virus (BLV). Cattle with LSA al most invariably die either suddenly or weeks or months after the onset of clinical signs. The BLV infection has been associated with direct production losses (milk loss, premature voluntary culling and reduced slaughter value, mortality loss and abortion, reproductive loss) and treatment costs (veterinary services, medication cost and extra farm labour cost), with reduced export competitiveness and increased consumer concerns regarding safety. In Tunisia, cattle breeding represents an important component in agricultural production, in the national economy, in the social field and in human health. It has been classified among the priority sectors because it generates two strategic products (milk and meat). This work consists of a descriptive sero-epidemiological survey to estimate the rate of leucosic infection of herds and animals belonging to seven farms in the organized sector of three Tunisian governorates: Jandouba, Kasserine and Sidi Bouzid located in the north and central west.A total random sample of 393 dairy cows over five years of age was surveyed on the seven farms. The ELISA test is the test used in our epidemiological investigation; it made it possible to obtain the following results; animal’s infection rate level is 21.37±1.44%. The results found in this survey, show that leucosal infection is gaining ground compared to those found in previous surveys, hence the need to apply adequate hygienic measures and to establish an action plan in order to reduce an important risk of amplification.