Border disease virus
Bovine viral diarrhea virus
Classical swine fever virus

Pestivirus is a genus of the family Flaviviridae. Genetically, they have a single strange of positive sense RNA which is around 12.5Kb long. Sometimes virions contain sections of genome which have been duplicated although this is not normally the case. There is no PolyA on the 3 prime end of the genome. Each virion consists of a nucleocapsid which is enveloped, being about 40-60nm diameter. These are found in the cytoplasm of infected cells. The genome contains RNA to encode both structural and non-structural proteins. Pestivires are widespread in Australia, mainly in cattle. Many adult cattle are immune to the disease but others are life long carriers. If a foetus gets infected from the mother with the virus within the first 3-4 months of gestation then it can see the virus particles as a part of itself and therefore does not produce any antibodies towards the virus. Unfortunately, the animal suffers often dying before birth or having a short life expectancy. Symptoms of the disease include diarrhoea, respiratory problems and bleeding disorders. There are however vaccines to the virus. The correct vaccine, to target the correct strain should be given. This vaccination must be regular to keep up protection.

Flaviviruses