The recent laboratory confirmation of cases of bluetongue virus serotype 4 (BTV-4) in sheep and goat farms in Cyprus has been announced by the Veterinary Services, which said it is monitoring the epidemiological situation and implementing the prescribed measures.
The Veterinary Services said BTV-4 is not being detected in Cyprus for the first time, noting that bluetongue has been recorded in the country for decades and different serotypes of the virus have been detected over the years.
Bluetongue is an infectious disease affecting domestic and wild ruminants, mainly sheep, but also goats, cattle and other susceptible ruminants. It is not transmitted directly from animal to animal, but through bites of Culicoides insects, which act as vectors of the virus.
The disease is highly seasonal, with relatively high temperatures and humidity favouring the activity and multiplication of the insect vectors, while falling temperatures significantly reduce their activity and, consequently, the risk of virus transmission.
The Veterinary Services called on farmers to take measures to reduce animals’ exposure to Culicoides bites, including the use of appropriate insect repellents or insecticides, insect control measures at livestock premises and limiting animals’ exposure to insects during periods of increased activity.
The Veterinary Services said vaccination is the most important and effective measure for limiting the impact of bluetongue, particularly in areas where the virus is circulating or there is an increased risk of transmission.
However, protection provided by vaccination is largely serotype-specific. Vaccination against BTV-4, for example, does not protect against BTV-8. The appropriate vaccination programme should therefore be selected in cooperation with the private veterinarian and the Veterinary Authorities, taking into account the epidemiological situation and available approved vaccines.
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease, but its confirmation does not automatically mean that the animals of an affected farm will be culled, as is the case with eradication measures for Category A diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease.
The Veterinary Services stressed that bluetongue is not a zoonotic disease and does not affect humans, and therefore poses no risk to public health.
Farmers are urged to monitor their animals daily and immediately contact their private veterinarian and the Veterinary Services if they observe symptoms such as fever, swelling of the face and muzzle, excessive salivation, bluish discoloration of the tongue, oral lesions or lameness.
Source: CNA
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