{"id":57205,"date":"2020-06-17T23:00:22","date_gmt":"2020-06-17T23:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zinpro.com\/how-the-immune-system-protects-animals-from-viruses\/"},"modified":"2024-09-20T12:10:54","modified_gmt":"2024-09-20T17:10:54","slug":"how-the-immune-system-protects-animals-from-viruses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zinpro.com\/en_na\/resource-center\/blog\/how-the-immune-system-protects-animals-from-viruses\/","title":{"rendered":"How the Immune System Protects Animals from Viruses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dr. Chris Ashworth, DVM contributed to this report.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part 2 of a 4-part series on viruses in animal production.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part 1 discussed what viruses are and how they impact animal production.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a number of ways that an animal can\nbecome infected by a virus. The typical ways are through ingestion and\ninhalation of air. However, animals can also become infected by coming into\ndirect contact with a surface or an object that has been contaminated or, on a\nrare occasion, through breeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, a warts virus can infect the skin\nof animals anytime that animal comes into direct contact with a surface\ncontaining the wart virus. These surfaces could include \u2014 but are not limited\nto \u2014 posts and walls in a barn or even a brush used on show animals.\nMammillitis and pseudocowpox are examples of viruses that can be spread by\nmilking machines, particularly in dairy heifers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once an animal\u2019s immune system recognizes a\nvirus in the body, it starts an inflammatory response to kill the virus. This\nprocess can start right away or it can be delayed depending on how long it\ntakes the virus (incubation period) to cause clinical disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a look at how the immune system\nworks when different viruses infect an animal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Immune System in Action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The immune system is comprised of a sophisticated\nnetwork of cells, proteins and enzymes that are programmed to monitor animal\nwellness. This network of cells detects and responds to bacteria, viruses,\nparasites and pollens, as well as toxins from bee stings and tick bites that\nmay invade the body. The cells also respond to stressors, injury or\nenvironmental challenges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a virus crosses one of the body\u2019s\nbarriers, such as the skin, mucous membrane or blood vessel linings, the immune\nsystem will detect the invasion. The immune system then sends signals called\ncytokines, indicating that help is needed. This initiates the movement of white\nblood cells toward the site of infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first responders to the site are white\nblood cells called phagocytes. These cells help protect the body by ingesting\nharmful foreign particles, bacteria and dead or dying cells. There are two\nforms of phagocytes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n