Bluetongue disease (BT) is a viral, epidemic, seasonal, mainly acute disease of sheep and cattle that is transmitted by biting midges, so-called midges (size 1-3 mm). Goats, New World camelids and wild ruminants are also susceptible to BT. The pathogen is an orbivirus from the Reoviridae family, of which 24 classic BT serotypes are known to date. In addition, further, so-called atypical serotypes (currently BTV-25 to BTV-36) have been discovered. These atypical BTVs were detected in clinically healthy goats and sheep. Only the classic BTV serotypes BTV-1 to BTV-24 are categorised as worthy of control in the European Union.
BT was first discovered in South Africa and has been known there for a long time; BT now occurs worldwide. The disease occurs mainly in the warm season and peaks in warm and humid weather.
The BT pathogen is not dangerous to humans. Meat and dairy products can be consumed without concern.
Symptoms of BT, especially in sheep, are lesions of the mucous membrane of the mouth and in the nose, fever, apathy, nasal discharge, circulatory disorders, lip and tongue oedema with blue colouring of the tongue, swelling and encrustation of the nasal passages and inflammation of the claws, which is accompanied by lameness.
Vaccination of ruminants currently offers the only effective protection against the clinical symptoms and animal losses. The use of inactivated vaccines achieves stable immunity in the ruminant population against the respective serotype.
- Primary contact for federal and state authorities regarding BTV detection and control
- Confirmatory tests for BTV antibody and genome (follow-up on inconclusive results from regional laboratories)
- Virus isolation and BTV serotyping by type-specific genome detection and serum neutralization tests
- Reference collection of virus strains, genome and serum samples
- Batch release testing of BTV diagnostic assays (ELISA, RT-qPCR)
- Evaluation, standardization and further development of BTV-specific diagnostic methods
- Training courses for regional laboratory personnel
- Execution of national ring trials
- Participation in EU ring trials, working groups and research projects
- Virus isolation by cell culture inoculation and intravenous injection of embryonated chicken eggs
- Pan-BTV genome detection with diverse RT-qPCR methods
- Type-specific BTV detection by RT-qPCR and sequencing
- Characterization of virus strains by genome sequencing
- Antibody detection by ELISA and serum neutralization tests (European serotypes)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health ("Animal Health Law") (AHL)
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882 of 3 December 2018 on the application of certain disease prevention and control provisions to categories of listed diseases and on the establishment of a list of species and groups of species presenting a significant risk for the spread of those listed diseases
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 of 17 December 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to rules on surveillance, eradication programmes and disease-free status for certain listed and emerging diseases (DelVO 689/2020)
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 of 17 December 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to animal health requirements for movements of terrestrial animals and hatching eggs within the Union
- Animal Health Act