Bluetongue virus
This page provides facts about the virus which causes Bluetongue disease and how it can be controlled
Bluetongue is caused by a virus within the Orbivirus genus of the family Reoviridae. 24 distinct serotypes of the virus have been identified.
The discovery of Serotype 8 in the Netherlands in 2006 was very unusual as this serotype is usually found in Africa, south of the Sahara. In Europe the most common serotypes are 2, 4, 9 and 16.
The last outbreak in the UK was due to the serotype BTV-8. This is the strain found in Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands since August 2006.
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease of ruminants (including sheep, cattle, camelids, goats and deer). All ruminant species are susceptible, but sheep are most severely affected.
Control and preventative measures
Control measures include protection and surveillance zones around an outbreak, movement restrictions and, if appropriate, slaughter and / or vaccination.
There are 24 serotypes of Bluetongue. The vaccine for use against Bluetongue serotype 8 (BTV-8) does not offer any cross-protection against the other 23.
Preventative measures include vector control through the use of ectoparasiticides, housing ruminants during peak vector activity (although both are less effective in controlling the current BTV8 outbreak in Northern Europe) and practising good biosecurity.
Ruminant owners and veterinary surgeons are asked to remain vigilant for the signs of disease, particularly in sheep, and to report any suspicions of disease to their local Animal Health office.