Maedi–Visna: Clinical review and short reference on the disease status in Mediterranean countries

The article presents a brief report of our clinical experience on the Maedi–Visna infection in sheep. The clinical signs and the gross lung lesions are described. The importance of horizontal transmission by aerosol from the respiratory tract is emphasised. The possible effect of the disease on milk production in diary breeds is also reviewed. Finally, there is an outline of the disease epidemiology in Mediterranean countries, where the infection sounds to be widespread.