Bluetongue disease

Bluetongue (BT) disease is a noncontagious, arthropod-borne viral disease affecting ruminants, primarily sheep and other domestic or wild ruminants, including cattle, yaks, goats, buffalo, deer, dromedaries, and antelope. It is caused by Bluetongue virus (BTV), a non-enveloped, double-stranded RNA virus belongs to the genus Orbivirus within the family Sedoreoviridae. The virus is mainly transmitted by biting midges, specifically Culicoides species (e.g. Culicoides imicola, Culicoides oxystoma, and Culicoides variipennis). BTV has a widespread geographical distribution, encompassing numerous continents and regions, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and various tropical and subtropical regions. At present, there are more than 28 recognized serotypes of BTV. Bluetongue outbreaks have had a significant economic impact, with estimated global losses reaching approximately US$3 billion.

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