A survey of bovine infectious keratitis (pinkeye) in beef cattle

Abstract A postal survey of 670 members of the N.Z. Hereford Cattle Breeders' Association attracted 298 replies (44%). A subsequent mailing of a shorter questionnaire to 300 randomly chosen members who had not replied by a givendate, attracted 183 replies (61%). The percentage of herds that had experienced at least one outbreak of pinkeye within the past 5 years was 27.9 in the first survey and 15.8 in the second. Breakdown by years and districts indicated a marked increase in the occurrence of the disease during the past 2 years, mainly in the NorthIsland. There were no statistically significant associations between a number of selected environmental and management factors and the occurrence or severity of outbreaks. Our findings suggest that the occurrence of clinical cases of BIK depends solely upon the introduction of an infected animal or material to the indigenous stock. There appears to be a considerable potential for further spread.