Imane Choukri¹*, Zaid Zouagui², Nadia Touil^3,4, Ouafaa Fassi Fihri¹ and Ikhlass El Berbri¹

¹Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, BP 6202, Rabat-Instituts, Rabat, Morocco
²Department of Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, Hassan II Institute of Agrono- my and Veterinary Medicine, BP 6202, Rabat-Instituts, Rabat, Morocco; Mohammed VI Center for Research and Innovation, Rabat, Morocco
³Center of Virology and Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat, Morocco
⁴Mohammed VI Center for Research and Innovation, Rabat, Morocco

*Corresponding Author: Imane Choukri, Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, BP 6202, Rabat-Instituts, Rabat, Morocco.

Received: June 29, 2026; Published: September 01, 2026

Abstract

Neonatal calf diarrhea is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in young cattle worldwide, resulting in substantial economic losses in veterinary medicine. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on neonatal calf diarrhea, addressing the main etiological agents, pathophysiological mechanisms, associated risk factors, as well as the diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive approaches used for its control. Particular attention is given to the epidemiological situation in Morocco through an analysis of national scientific studies conducted since the 1980s. Moroccan studies highlight the predominant role of bovine rotavirus, bovine coronavirus, Escherichia coli F5 (K99), and Cryptosporidium parvum, as well as the significant contribution of husbandry practices and passive transfer of colostral immunity to the occurrence of diarrhea in calves. Despite recent advances in diagnostic methods, national data remain fragmented, and studies on the molecular characterization of circulating strains are still very limited. Strengthening epidemiological surveillance, molecular characterization of circulating strains, and integrated control measures combining biosecurity, vaccination, and improved colostral immunity transfer appear essential to achieve sustainable control of this disease in Morocco.

 Keywords: Neonatal Calf Diarrhea; Bovine Rotavirus A; Bovine Coronavirus; Escherichia coli K99; Enteric Infections; Epidemiology; Cattle Farming; Morocco

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Citation

Citation: Imane Choukri., et al. “Neonatal Calf Diarrhea: Current Knowledge and Epidemiological Insights from Morocco". Acta Scientific Veterinary Sciences 8.2 (2026): 29-44.

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Copyright: © 2026 Imane Choukri., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.