Bluetongue Virus

Bluetongue Virus (BTV)

Bluetongue Virus is an orbivirus transmitted by Culicoides midges, primarily affecting ruminants such as sheep, cattle, and deer. It is a notifiable vector-borne disease, with outbreaks causing severe economic impact due to movement restrictions, mortality, and trade implications.

While sheep are most severely affected, cattle serve as important reservoirs.

Clinical signs (particularly in sheep) include:

• Fever, facial swelling, hyperaemia of mucous membranes
• Lameness, oral ulceration, and cyanosis of the tongue (“bluetongue”)
• Abortion or congenital malformations

qPCR testing allows:

• Rapid and highly specific detection of BTV RNA in whole blood (EDTA), especially during viraemia
• Differentiation between vaccine and wild-type strains(in advanced assays)
• Support for outbreak tracing, surveillance, and pre-export testing

qPCR is the gold standard for confirming BTV infection, particularly during active outbreaks or when complying with international trade regulations.

This test is vital for:

• Monitoring disease spread during midge season
• Supporting national surveillance programs
• Certifying animals for export from restricted zones