Bluetongue (BT) disease is a noncontagious, arthropod-borne viral disease affecting ruminants,[1] primarily sheep and other domestic or wild ruminants, including cattle, yaks,[2]goats, buffalo, deer, dromedaries, and antelope.[3] It is caused by Bluetongue virus (BTV), a non-enveloped, double-stranded RNA virus belongs to the genus Orbivirus within the family Reoviridae.[1] The virus is mainly transmitted by biting midges, specifically Culicoides species (e.g. Culicoides imicola, Culicoides oxystoma, and Culicoides variipennis).[3][4] BTV has a widespread geographical distribution, encompassing numerous continents and regions, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and various tropical and subtropical regions.[5] At present, there are more than 28 recognized serotypes of BTV. [3][6][7][8] Bluetongue outbreaks have had a significant economic impact, with estimated global losses reaching approximately 3 billion USD.[9]
^Tabachnick WJ (January 1996). "Culicoides variipennis and bluetongue-virus epidemiology in the United States". Annual Review of Entomology. 41 (1): 23–43. doi:10.1146/annurev.en.41.010196.000323. PMID8546447.
^"Bluetongue". WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health. Retrieved 2024-12-12.