Bluetongue disease

02.02.2024

Bluetongue disease , Daily Current Affairs , RACE IAS : Best IAS Coaching in Lucknow 

Why in the news?

China has banned the direct and indirect import of ruminants and its related products from Iraq due to an outbreak of bluetongue disease.

About Bluetongue disease (BT):

• It is a non-contagious, viral disease affecting domestic and wild ruminants (primarily sheep and including cattle, goats, buffalo, antelope, deer, elk and camels).
• It is transmitted by insects, particularly biting midges of the Culicoides species.
• The virus which causes BT is identified as a member of the Reoviridae family.
• Twenty-four (24) different serotypes have been identified and the ability of each strain to cause disease varies considerably.
• Symptoms: The severity of the disease varies among different species with symptoms being most severe in sheep resulting in deaths, weight loss and disruption in wool growth.

Geographical distribution

• It has a significant global distribution in regions where the insect vector is present, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and several islands in the tropics and subtropics.
• The virus is maintained in areas where the climate will allow biting midges to survive over winter.

Transmission and spread

• The insect vector is the key to the transmission of the BT virus between animals.
• Vectors are infected with BT virus after ingesting blood from infected animals.
• Without the vector, the disease cannot spread from animal to animal.
• BT virus transmission can occur throughout the year, particularly during rainy periods.

                                                                Source: Reuters . Com