Bovine herpesvirus 2

Bovine herpesvirus 2 (BHV-2) is a virus of the family Herpesviridae that causes two diseases in cattle, bovine mammillitis and pseudo-lumpyskin disease. BHV-2 is similar in structure to human herpes simplex virus. The strain of BHV-2 that causes pseudo-lumpyskin disease is also known as the Allerton virus.

Pseudo-lumpyskin disease is found most commonly in southern Africa. It was originally discovered in South Africa where a similar but more serious disease caused by a poxvirus, lumpyskin disease, is also prevalent. Symptoms include fever and skin nodules on the face, back, and perineum. The disease heals within a few weeks. Bovine mammillitis is characterized by lesions restricted to the teats and udder. BHV-2 probably spreads through an arthropod vector, but can also be spread through milkers and milking machines.