Bluetongue Virus (BTV)

Bluetongue Virus Latest News

More suspected cases of bluetongue virus (BTV) have been recently detected in Northern Ireland.

About Bluetongue Virus

• It is responsible for causing the severe haemorrhagic disease, bluetongue (BT).
  • It is an infectious, non-contagious, vector-borne disease.
  • It can infect domestic ruminants, including cattle, sheep, and goats, along with wild animals such as buffalo, deer, antelope, and camels. 
  • Of the domestic species, sheep are the most severely affected. 
• BTV is present in all continents except Antarctica. 
• Transmission:
  • BTV is predominantly spread between ruminants through the bites of infected Culicoides midges, tiny blood-feeding insects that can be found in large numbers on most farms. 
  • Some BTV strains can be transferred from a ruminant mother to her fetus during pregnancy.
• Can the BTV Spread to Humans? 
  • No, BTV cannot infect people. 
  • There are no food safety issues, and meat and dairy products are safe to consume.
• Clinical signs associated with bluetongue disease are usually only seen in sheep (and sometimes deer), and it can be fatal. Clinical Signs Include:
  • Fever (40°C to 42°C)
  • Swelling of the lips, tongue, and head
  • Nasal discharge
  • Lameness
  • Reddening around the coronary band (top of the hoof).
• Some animals may show signs of a swollen, bluish-coloured tongue (hence the name ‘bluetongue’). 
  • This will not always be seen and should not be relied upon to diagnose bluetongue disease.
• BT can result in high rates of morbidity and even mortality in flocks and herds and can affect production (e.g. milk yields) and trade.
• Treatment:
  • There is no effective treatment for bluetongue. 
  • Vaccines are available for certain types of the disease and are used in Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe.

Source: BBC

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