bluetongue disease
bluetongue disease
A non-contagious disease of ruminants, primarily sheep, less often cattle, goats, buffalo, deer, dromedaries and antelope. It is caused by the bluetongue virus—a reovirus, genus Orbivirus—which has 20+ serotypes transmitted by haematophagous insect vectors—e.g., midges, sandflies (Culicoides spp).Clinical findings
5–20-day incubation followed by high fever, drooling, swelling of the face and tongue, rhinitis, enteritis and foot lesions which, cause the animals to constantly shift position, and ultimately leads to lameness.
Mortality
Local animals and wild ruminant have low mortality rates; imported breeds have up to 90% mortality.
Prevention
Vaccine, especially against serotype 8.