Re-emergence of Bovine Ephemeral Fever in Turkey in 2020 after an 8-Year Absence: A Molecular Analysis Study

Abstract

Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) is a vector-borne disease of ruminants in tropical and subtropical areas, leading to significant economic losses to the cattle and milk industry in many countries, including Turkey. Cattle showing high fever, stagnation, and recumbency have been extensively reported in Turkey's south and south eastern regions in 2020. Here, the genetic analysis and molecular epidemiology of the virus obtained from the last BEF outbreak were investigated. Of 32 symptomatic cattle selected from three provinces in Turkey, 23 were positive for bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV), and three entire G genes were identified by sequencing. The new BEFV isolates were genetically similar to some Turkish and Israeli isolates from 2008 and 2012 (>98 nucleotide (nt), 97% amino acid (aa)), and phylogenetic analysis based on the surface glycoprotein (G) gene revealed that BEFV isolates are of Middle Eastern origin. The G protein amino acid alignment showed that BEFV circulated in the same region with minor differences over the years. In this context, we recommend closely monitoring BEF outbreaks in neighbouring countries and prompt vaccination of susceptible cattle in areas at risk for BEFV in Turkey in the event of an outbreak.