Systematic Veterinary Virology

SUBACUTE INFECTION

• Subacute infections are seen in immature and young adult animals. The incubation period is longer than that of the acute syndrome and may even last 15 days.
• The clinical signs are mild and often one or more of the cardinal features of the classic disease, such as fever, mucosal erosions, mucopurulent nasal and ocular discharges or diarrhoea, are absent. Most affected animals survive the infection.
• In cattle the rinderpest virus selectively destroys T- and B-lymphocytes. Because of this the latent pathogens are commonly activated and supra-infection occurs.