Work

Toward a regionally informed national bovine leukemia virus control strategy for the United Arab Emirates: Lessons from international eradication programs

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) is a globally endemic retroviral infection of dairy cattle associated with productivity losses, reduced longevity, and trade implications. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), available epidemiological evidence from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (EAD), which accounts for over 60% of the national dairy herd, indicates herd-level seroprevalence of up to 70% and sustained circulation of genotype 4 strains, reflecting stable endemic transmission. Continued reliance on imported cattle from BLV-endemic regions, together with cross-border livestock movement within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), likely contributes to ongoing introduction and persistence of infection. This study employed a structured narrative review and comparative policy analysis to synthesize regional epidemiological and molecular evidence, benchmark international BLV control and eradication programs, and identify governance gaps in the UAE (EAD) context. A structured comparison of international programs highlights that successful control is primarily driven by institutionalized surveillance, standardized movement regulation, and coordinated governance mechanisms, rather than diagnostic capacity alone. Drawing on these insights, a phased, risk-based BLV control framework is proposed for the EAD, with the prospect of extending it to the entire UAE once the ongoing nationwide survey has been completed. The proposed framework incorporates nationwide ELISA-based surveillance, mandatory pre-import and pre-movement testing, proviral load–guided risk stratification using quantitative PCR, centralized reporting systems, and progressive BLV-free herd certification supported by incentive mechanisms. Given the transboundary nature of livestock movement, national interventions should be complemented by harmonized GCC-level surveillance and movement control strategies. Implementation of an institutionalized and operationally defined framework provides a feasible pathway for reducing BLV prevalence while strengthening dairy sector resilience, trade credibility, and food security in the UAE.

Source: Preventive Veterinary Medicine Regional Studies and Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.pvmrsr.2026.100027