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Bovine Leukosis Bovine Leukosis
Bovine leukosis (BL), commonly referred to as bovine leukemia is an infectious disease
of cattle caused by bovine leukemia virus (BLV). The disease is characterized by the
development of an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells (lymphocytosis) in
30 to 70% of affected animals and by tumor formation (lymphosarcoma) in about 5% of
animals. BL is not a reportable disease in Canada; however, Canadian laboratories notify
the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) annually of any BL-positive diagnoses.
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