bluetongue (redirected from bluetongue virus (BTV))

bluetongue

an infectious, non-contagious disease of sheep and occasionally cattle, transmitted by Culicoides spp. Caused by an Orbivirus with at least 24 serotypes worldwide. Cattle are the reservoir and amplification hosts. Severe disease is restricted to fine wool and mutton breeds of sheep. Infection, but not disease, is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions. Disease occurs in epidemic and incursive areas when climatic conditions allow the expansion of vector occurrence. Currently, this is occurring in southern Europe associated with global warming. Manifest with fever, catarrhal stomatitis, rhinitis, enteritis and lameness due to a coronitis and myositis. High case fatality can occur in sheep. Congenital infections with wild or vaccine virus may result in defects in the nervous system, the type and severity depending on the stage of gestation.

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bluetongue virus (BTV)

a member of the family Reoviridae, genus Orbivirus. Causes bluetongue in sheep and other ruminants. Within the BTV serogroup there at least 24 serotypes of BTV and considerable genetic variability