Bovine leukemia virus is an “oncogenic retrovirus” common in cattle throughout the U.S. Cattle infected with BLV have the disease known to veterinarians as enzootic bovine leukosis or EBL, but it is most often referred to as leukosis.
Michelle Arnold, DVM DABVP, says BLV indirectly allows other disease conditions to flourish, and until recently, recognition of its importance to overall cattle health has been delayed.
Source: BEEF, July 7, 2021. Link. Leukosis has 3 distinct stages: asymptomatic (no visible symptoms of disease), persistent lymphocytosis, and a cancerous stage (leukemia, lymphoma, and lymphosarcoma). Arnold presents symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and herd management.