Assessment of the cost effectiveness of compulsory testing of introduced animals and bulk tank milk testing for bovine viral diarrhea in Japan

ISODA, Norikazu; ASANO, Akihiro; ICHIJO, Michiru; OHNO, Hiroshi; SATO, Kazuhiko; OKAMOTO, Hirokazu; NAKAO, Shigeru; KATO, Hajime; SAITO, Kazuma; ITO, Naoki; USUI, Akira; TAKAYAMA, Hiroaki; SAKODA, Yoshihiro

In the previous study, we developed a scenario tree model to propose efficient BVD control measures using the field data in Nemuro District, eastern part of Hokkaido, where cattle infected with BVDV had been reduced by interventions [19] . The scenario tree with some updates was used in this study to assess cost effectiveness of the BVD control measures, including compulsory testing of introduced animals, and BTM testing as mass screening methods to maintain BVD-free status or low BVD prevalence. The outputs obtained from the model indicated that compulsory testing of only heifers and/or non-vaccinated cattle, rather than all introduced animals, would be a cost-effective way to reduce BVD risk under various scenarios of vaccination coverage or BVDV prevalence and that BTM testing could successfully, but not completely, monitor non-introduced animals. In addition, continuous implementation of each control measure for 15 years was simulated to result in eradication of BVD in Japanese dairy farms.