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Bluetongue’s virus is belongs to the Oribivirus family and there are 20 recognized species within the genus. Bluetongue Virus, BTV, or Bluetongue disease are common names for this viral infection.

Bluetongue virus. (2024, January 17). The Pirbright Institute. https://www.pirbright.ac.uk/bluetongue#:~:text=BTV%20belongs%20to%20the%20family,disease%20and%20should%20be%20reported.

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Swelling

Ulcers

Reproductive problems

A swollen/blue or purple tongue, hence the name (not present in every case of the disease)

Sores

Lameness

Painful hooves

United States Department of Agriculture. (2011). Bluetongue. https://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/FastFacts/pdfs/bluetongue_F.pdf

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A domestic sheep that has contracted Bluetongue disease :( 

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Bluetongue is commonly contracted among domesticated cattle populations, but it also affects bison, deer, goats, and sheep. Their more wild counterparts are also susceptible to this disease, perhaps even more so than their domesticated counterparts.

Government of Canada,Canadian Food Inspection Agency,Animal Health Directorate. (2015, September 15). Fact sheet - Bluetongue. https://inspection.canada.ca/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/bluetongue/fact-sheet/eng/1306116803992/1306121522520

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Bluetongue is transmitted by insects called biting midges or culicoides, but it can also be transmitted by other biting insects like fleas and ticks.

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Bluetongue virus follows a lysogenic lifecycle as it latches onto and reproduces in the cells of its host. After a sufficient period of time, the Bluetongue virus’s progeny are released and spread through the saliva of its host organism. (Usually a midge)

The host when infected once, is infected for life but may or may not be able to transmit the virus.

Mellor, P. S. (1990). The replication of Bluetongue virus in culicoides vectors. In Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology (pp. 143–161). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-75247-6_6

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Bluetongue does not have a concrete curative treatment, as there are more than 20 strands of the disease. There are only vaccines for a couple of Bluetongue strands, any infected animals can only be treated by adequate rest and soft food as to not upset their swollen tongue.

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Bluetongue was discovered approximately 125 years ago when European cattle were introduced to Africa, where it remains most common. Since then, it has become an area of focused research within Africa, particularly in South Africa at Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Institute.

There are no particular names or numbers associated with the discovery of Bluetongue.

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A closer look at animals afflicted with Bluetongue 

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Bluetongue has over 20 identified strands, the survival rates vary wildly from as low as 2% all the way up to 90% depending on which strand and how severe. Bluetongue can also be chronic (affect its host for long periods of time) in which the afflicted animal will die within 3-5 weeks of infection due to exhaustion and bacterial complications.

More severe cases of Bluetongue will have the animal die within 7-9 days, usually from asphyxiation due to swelling and even blockage of the airways as their nostrils will sometimes become full of froth.

Lear, A. S. (2024, February 29). Bluetongue in Ruminants. Merck Veterinary Manual. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/generalized-conditions/bluetongue/bluetongue-in-ruminants#:~:text=The%20course%20of%20bluetongue%20in,nostrils%2C%20and%20death%20by%20asphyxiation.