![]() Infected cattle play a signifi cant role in maintaining the virus in a region. Without the vector, the disease cannot spread from animal to animal.īT virus transmission can occur throughout the year, particularly during rainy periods. Vectors are infected with BT virus after ingesting blood from infected animals. The insect vector is the key to transmission of BT virus between animals. In countries where BT is endemic the impact is largely on loss of trade due to restrictions and the costs of surveillance, health testing and vaccination.īT is a disease listed under the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code and must be reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (as per the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code). Currently circulating BT virus in Northern Europe is epidemiologically significant because of demonstration of clinical signs in cattle. Mortality averages from 2-30% but can be as high as 70%.Ĭattle often have a higher infection rate than sheep and demonstration and severity of clinical signs varies depending on the strain of virus. In highly susceptible sheep, morbidity can be as high as 100%. The severity of disease varies among different species with symptoms being most severe in sheep resulting in deaths, weight loss and disruption in wool growth. ![]() Twenty-four (24) different serotypes have been identified and the ability of each strain to cause disease varies considerably. The virus which causes BT is identified as a member of the Reoviridae family. Vaccination is used as the most effective and practical measure to minimize losses related to the disease and to potentially interrupt the cycle from infected animal to vector along with insect control measures.īluetongue (BT) is a non-contagious, viral disease affecting domestic and wild ruminants (primarily sheep and including cattle, goats, buffalo, antelope, deer, elk and camels) that is transmitted by insects, particularly biting midges of the Culicoides species. There is no public health risk associated with BT, as the virus is not transmitted through contact with animals or wool, or through consumption of milk. Twenty-six (26) different serotypes have been identified and the ability of each strain to cause disease varies considerably. Insect vector of just a few species in the genus Culicoides transmit bluetongue virus (BTV) among susceptible ruminants, having become infected by feeding on viraemic animals. Infection with bluetongue virus (BTV) is inapparent in the vast majority of animals but can cause fatal disease in a proportion of infected sheep, deer and wild ruminants. ![]() Bluetongue (BT) is an infectious, non-contagious, vector-borne viral disease that affects wild and domestic ruminants such as sheep, goats, cattle, buffaloes, deer, most species of African antelope and camels.
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