Bluetongue Virus - Key Facts
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 outbreak is 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 current outbreak in the UK is 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, sheep are most severely affected.
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