| Bluetongue is a viral disease
caused by a member of the genus Orbivirus, family Reoviridae, that affects
sheep, goats, cattle and many species of wild ruminants. Sheep present with fever, and
erosions at the oronasal junction and also around the coronary band. Infection of
cattle is usually subclinical. Transmitted by Culicoides insects, the disease has a
seasonal distribution, corresponding with insect activity. Diagnosis is by viral isolation
in embryonating eggs. In addition, there are several immunologically-based tests for
antigen detection. |
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