Integrating epidemiological, regulatory and social perspectives to improve bovine leukemia virus control

Abstract Enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL), caused by the bovine leukemia virus (BLV), is a widespread bovine disease responsible for chronic economic losses in the cattle industry. Prevalence has risen substantially in countries without control measures, whereas state‑led programs have generated a more heterogeneous epidemiological landscape across Europe. This review examines key aspects of BLV impact and control in both global and European contexts. Using publicly available datasets from the World Organisation for Animal Health, it summarizes current BLV epidemiology and the outcomes of current control strategies. It also reviews emerging control options for high‑prevalence settings and challenges in economic assessment. Finally, it uses established findings from social science studies applied to veterinary public health to analyze issues linked to BLV control programs. The impact of BLV was greater than previously assumed, particularly in countries with high prevalence. Regions with low prevalence should not be overlooked, given the increasing occurrence of emerging diseases and the expansion of insect vectors associated with climate change. The economic cost of inaction may be increasing, as recent studies have suggested a potential but still controversial zoonotic capacity that may already affect the reputation of animal products in endemic areas. Beyond the farming sector, BLV-related social costs could include political instability stemming from social burdens generated by veterinary public health programs. Altogether, these observations highlight the need for a cross-sectoral approach to animal disease management in veterinary public health, integrating emerging concerns related to human health, environmental degradation, and political instability in a One-Health perspective.