Bluetongue Virus Control in Sheep and Cattle

Bluetongue Virus (BTV) Control in Sheep and Cattle

Bluetongue (BTV) is an insect borne viral disease of ruminants, especially sheep.

Outbreaks, Europe

The range of BTV has extended northwards. Serotype BTV-8 has been diagnosed in Northern European countries.

BTV Vaccination

An inactivated vaccine against BTV-8 infection, Bovilis® BTV-8, has been developed for the control of the disease in sheep and cattle

Useful links

Links to websites with useful Bluetongue related information, information on the latest outbreaks and advances in the control of Bluetongue .

BTV is a notifiable disease because of the considerable economic losses it causes. Recent outbreaks in Northern Europe have been attributed to climate change creating favourable conditions for the BTV virus vector, Culicoides midges. The range of the midges have extended northwards and environmental conditions allow for extended breeding seasons.

Combined control

Once BTV is established in a country, it can be difficult to control and may be impossible to eradicate. The wide host range and the possible existence of latently infected carrier animals make elimination of the source of infection difficult.

Vector control and vaccination is necessary for successful BTV control.

Merck Animal Health

Merck Animal Health is a global leader in biologicals. The company prides itself in supplying superior quality products and strives to support these products with the necessary technical expertise.

Merck Animal Health has an effective insecticide to control Culicoides midges and has developed an inactivated vaccine against BTV serotype 8 called Bovilis BTV8

Vector control

Minimising the impact of the Culicoides midge is important in an integrated bluetongue control program

A combination of vaccination, vector control and biosecurity is necessary for successful BTV control.

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