Is there a vaccine for bluetongue?

Only two vaccine types for bluetongue are currently available commercially: live attenuated vaccines and inactivated virus vaccines. Live attenuated bluetongue vaccines have a long history.

How is bluetongue controlled?

The disease is transmitted by Culicoides that ingest infected blood from viraemic ruminants. Control is based on reducing the number of viraemic ruminants in the infected area, reducing the population density of Culicoides, and reducing the availability of susceptible ruminants.

What causes bluetongue?

The disease is non-contagious and is only transmitted by insect vectors (midges of the Culicoides species). The disease is caused by a virus belonging to the family Reoviridae. Bluetongue virus is a notifiable disease in many countries.

How do you prevent blue tongue disease in sheep?

How can I protect my animals from bluetongue? Implement insect control and prevention measures to reduce the the spread of disease by the vector. This may include destroying insect habitat, use of insecticides, or moving animals into barns during the vector’s peak activity time (dusk until dawn).

Is bluetongue a zoonotic disease?

Importantly, BT is not zoonotic. Bluetongue virus (BTV) infection of ruminants and vector Culicoides midges is endemic throughout many tropical and temperate regions of the world; however, within this global range the virus exists within relatively discrete ecosystems (syn.

Is there a cure for bluetongue?

No satisfactory medical treatment has been found for animals with blue tongue. Generally, with proper care, most animals recover naturally within 14 days, although severely affected animals may recover more slowly.

What type of virus is bluetongue?

Bluetongue is caused by the pathogenic virus, Bluetongue virus (BTV), of the genus Orbivirus, of the Reoviridae family.

Is bluetongue zoonotic or notifiable?

It does not affect people or food safety, but outbreaks can result in prolonged animal movement and trade restrictions. The last outbreak in England, Scotland or Wales was in 2007. Bluetongue is a notifiable animal disease.

How do you treat bluetongue in animals?

Diagnosis is based upon clinical signs, virus detection via PCR and/or seroconversion to bluetongue virus. Treatment is limited to antibiotic therapy to control secondary bacterial infections.

What pathogen causes bluetongue?

Bluetongue is a viral disease caused by Bluetongue virus (BTV) and is spread by biting insects such as Culicoides midges.

What is bovine bluetongue?

Bluetongue is an insect-borne, viral disease affecting sheep, cattle, deer, goats and camelids (camels, llamas, alpacas, guanaco and vicuña). Although sheep are most severely affected, cattle are the main mammal reservoir of the virus and are critical in the disease epidemiology.

Can bluetongue disease affect humans?

Bluetongue is an insect-borne viral disease to which all species of ruminants are susceptible, although sheep are most severely affected. It does not affect humans.