Bluetongue in Europe

At the turn of the century Bluetongue (BTV) could be found in a broad band around the world between latitudes of approximately 35°S and 40°N. Since the late 1990’s the virus has been diagnosed further north.

BTV in Europe

Since 1998 the distribution of BTV has been extended. This appears partly due to the rapid spread in the distribution of the vector. By the end of 2001 at least 10 Mediterranean countries were affected by BTV, including six (France, Italy, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Yugoslavia and Tunisia) that had never previously experienced the disease and two within which hitherto unaffected areas (mainland Greece and the Balearic islands of Spain) were now affected. Serotypes reported from these countries were 2, 4, 9 and 16. The same serotypes also occur at the east and south border of Europe. Serotypes 6, 10 and 13 have also been isolated in these regions.

Emergence of new serotypes

In August and September 2006 BTV was diagnosed in The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and France for the first time. The virus isolated was BTV serotype 8, a serotype not previously detected in Europe. The summer of 2007 also saw the emergence of a new BTV isolate in Southern Europe, BTV serotype 1.