Viral Diseases in Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): New Insights and Perspectives

Simple Summary Buffaloes are typically raised in tropical, flood-prone zones, thus exposed to conditions conducive to the growth of disease-causing pathogens and their vectors. They generally share the habitat with cattle, representing sanitary problems because viral agents can transmit between both species; many are zoonotic and public health concerns. The mobilization and introduction of buffaloes and their biological products from one continent or country to another pose a risk of spreading viral diseases considered exotic in certain regions. This underscores the critical need for rigorous epidemiological surveillance of infectious diseases within buffalo herds. Additionally, it highlights the potential implications and risks these diseases pose to other livestock species and public health in newly inhabited regions. This review discusses the more reported viral diseases in water buffaloes, their characteristics, epidemiology, disease behavior, and interaction with other species, vectors, and pathogens. The epidemiology of buffalo viral diseases must be continuously reconsidered and updated to obtain better prevention and control programs. The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) has great adaptability to rustic environments and more variable conditions than cattle, who generally share the habitat. Diseases carried by buffaloes are relatively unknown and ignored and could be transmissible; an imbalance occurs between pathogens, environment, and susceptible hosts, generating a severe animal health problem. Also relevant is the effect of climate change on the populations of vectors that transmit viral diseases. The discovery of new virus variants that can pass from bovine (Bos) to buffalo or vice versa or to humans has highlighted the relevance of viruses crossing the host barrier. This review discusses the clinical viral diseases most reported in the water buffalo, characteristics, epidemiology, and recent findings about disease behavior, interaction with other species, the host, vectors, and pathogens. Diseases reviewed include Foot and Mouth Disease, Rinderpest, Malignant Catarrhal Fever, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis, Bovine Viral Diarrhea, and Rabies. Also, vector-borne diseases include Lumpy Skin Disease, Ephemeral Fever, and Blue Tongue. The review also considers emerging viruses such as Buffalo Pox and Schmallenberg and, finally, other viruses such as papillomatosis. The knowledge and epidemiology of buffalo viral diseases must be constantly reconsidered and updated for adequate prevention and control programs.