[1] Infection is normally sub-clinical but can cause reproductive disease in cattle such as endometritis, vulvovaginitis and mastitis.

Distribution is worldwide and the virus infects a range of ruminants, including bison, buffalo, sheep and goats.

However the virus may cause abortion and retained foetal membranes, and if an infected fetus is born alive it may be weak.

Diagnosis is achieved by virus isolation (from tissues or secretions), PCR, ELISA, and indirect immunofluorescence.

The virus can remain latent in recovered animals - shedding at times of stress, allowing the spread of disease to others.