BLUETONGUE - EUROPE (02): SPAIN (EXTREMADURA) BOVINE, BTV-1

Bluetongue As a Bioweapon


Bluetongue is considered as a potential bioweapon because of the following factors:



There is a risk of bluetongue to any country with competent vectors.

Historically, BTV has produced devastating ovine epizootics and been difficult to eliminate and control in bovine populations.


Viremic animals cannot be distinguished from nontransmitting animals.


Widespread infection would result in significant economic costs from lost trade of germ plasm and animal products and regulatory costs would increase.


Source: USAHA 


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A ProMED-mail post



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International Society for Infectious Diseases





Date: Sun 16 Oct 2011

Source: Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, Spain,

Veterinary Health Alert Network news release [in Spanish, trans.

submitter SZ, edited]







1st bluetongue outbreak in 2011-2012 season reported in Caceres

province

---------------------------------------------------------------

The National Reference Laboratory in Algete has confirmed renewed

circulation of bluetongue virus [BTV] serotype 1 in an unvaccinated

sentinel cattle holding in Plasencia (Caceres), which is part of the

National BT Disease Surveillance Program.



The Official Veterinary Services of the Junta de Extremadura have

reported detection of 10 animals positive for BTV-1 (see map at

).



The confirmation of this case of bluetongue means a reappearance of

the disease in Spain since the end of the last disease (vector

activity) season.



During 2010, a total of 91 outbreaks were reported, of which 80 were

of BTV-1, 10 of BTV-4, and one focus of BTV-8.



The reappearance of the disease has led to the strengthening of BT

control measures. These measures involve, in the affected area,

increased surveillance and biosecurity measures, vector control, and

the recommendation for vaccination of susceptible species.



Official notification of the new outbreak has been sent to the

European Commission, OIE, and other autonomous communities and sectors

involved.



--

communicated by:

Sabine Zentis

Castleview Pedigree English Longhorns

Gut Laach

52385 Nideggen

Germany







[BTV-1 was detected in the same location/region during the same season

last year (2010); see slide 3 in Spain's presentation to EU's SCOFCAH

(Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, UK), "Updates

2009-2010 and Disease Future: Perspective in Spain", available at

.

This may be indicative of the endemic status (or overwintering) of

this virus in Spain, though reintroduction from Northern Africa is not

excluded. BTV-1 and BTV-4 are currently circulating in Morocco (see

commentary in ProMED-mail 20111008.3023). - Mod.AS



A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Spain can be seen at

. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]



[see also:

Bluetongue, sheep - Algeria (02): (AN), spread 20111008.3023

2010

---

Bluetongue - Europe (06): Spain (AN) st 8, susp, RFI 20101126.4267

Bluetongue - Europe (04): Spain, serotypes 1, 4 20101016.3751

Bluetongue - Europe (03): Spain (AN), BTV-4, OIE 20101006.3627]

.................................................arn/mj/sh

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