Veterinary Services are on high alert following the detection of cases of bluetongue on sheep and goat farms. The relevant authorities are already monitoring the epidemiological situation and implementing the necessary measures, while reminding livestock farmers that they are required to report cases, clarifying that the management protocol differs from that for foot-and-mouth disease.

Read the announcement from the Veterinary Services

Bluetongue is an infectious disease of domestic and wild ruminants.

It primarily affects sheep, but can also affect goats, cattle, and other susceptible ruminants.

The disease is not transmitted directly from animal to animal, but through the bites of insects of the genus Culicoides, which act as vectors for the virus.

The Situation in Cyprus

The specific serotype of bluetongue that has recently been detected in Cyprus belongs to serotype 4 (BTV-4), and this is not the first time it has been detected in Cyprus.

The disease has been recorded in our country for many decades, and different serotypes of the virus have been detected from time to time. Recently, cases of BTV-4 infection have been laboratory-confirmed on sheep and goat farms. The competent Veterinary Services are monitoring the epidemiological situation and implementing the prescribed measures.

Seasonality of the Disease

Bluetongue exhibits marked seasonality, which is linked to the seasonal activity of Culicoides. Relatively high temperatures and humid conditions favor the activity and reproduction of the insect vectors, through which the virus is transmitted when they feed. Conversely, a drop in temperature significantly limits Culicoides activity and consequently reduces the risk of their dispersal and virus transmission. The seasonality of the disease and its close relationship with the activity of insect vectors are important factors for its surveillance and management.

Symptoms of the disease?

The disease can present with varying degrees of severity.

In sheep, it can cause severe clinical disease, while in cattle and goats, the infection is often asymptomatic or of milder severity.

In sheep, the following may be observed:

• fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite,
• excessive salivation and dyspnea,
• swelling and redness of the muzzle, lips, face, and ears,
• nasal discharge,
• erosions and ulcers in the oral cavity,
• swelling and, in some cases, cyanosis of the tongue,
• inflammation around the hoof coronet and lameness,
• miscarriages and reproductive disorders.

In severe cases, complications such as pneumonia may occur, leading to death. In recovering animals, weight loss, reduced milk production, and abnormalities in wool development may be observed.

Preventive Measures

Because the disease is transmitted by insect vectors, reducing animals’ exposure to Culicoides bites is an important supplementary protective measure.

Livestock farmers are advised to:

• use appropriate insect repellents or insecticides in accordance with the instructions of the Veterinary Services and the manufacturer’s approved usage guidelines,
• implement appropriate pest control measures on their premises,
• limit, where practicable, the animals’ exposure to insects during periods of increased insect activity,
• keep animals in enclosed, protected areas during times of increased vector activity,
• remove sources of standing water and excessive moisture around the premises and watering troughs,
• properly manage manure and other organic matter that may create favorable conditions for insect growth.

Vaccination

Vaccination is the most important and effective measure for limiting the impact of Blue Tongue, particularly in areas where the virus is endemic, is circulating, or where there is an increased risk of transmission.

However, the protection provided by vaccination is primarily serotype-specific, which means that vaccination against a specific serotype does not provide protection against another serotype of the virus.

For example, vaccination against BTV-4 does not protect the animal against BTV-8; therefore, the selection and implementation of an appropriate vaccination program must be carried out in collaboration with the private veterinarian who monitors the animals,  the competent veterinary authorities, in accordance with the epidemiological situation and the available approved vaccination options.

Mandatory reporting – different management than for Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease, and confirmation of cases must be reported to the competent veterinary authorities, as part of national and European disease surveillance.

However, it is important to clarify that the mandatory reporting of the disease does not mean that the same immediate eradication measures apply as those for diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease, since the disease does not fall Category A, which includes foot-and-mouth disease.

Catarrhal fever is a disease transmitted by insect vectors, and its management is based on epidemiological surveillance, laboratory investigation, control of vector-borne transmission, vaccination where indicated, and, where necessary, the implementation of appropriate measures regarding the movement of susceptible animals.

Confirmation of a case of Blue Tongue does not automatically entail the culling of animals on the farm, as is the case under the eradication measures applied for Foot-and-Mouth Disease.

The measures taken are determined by applicable European and national legislation and are adapted to the specific epidemiological situation.

More than 26 serotypes

The bluetongue virus exhibits significant genetic and antigenic diversity, resulting in the identification of more than 26 serotypes to date. Serotypes differ in their ability to cause disease and in the severity of clinical manifestations. For this reason, continuous surveillance and laboratory identification of the circulating serotype are particularly important for implementing appropriate control measures and selecting the appropriate vaccination strategy.

It is not a zoonotic disease

Sheep Catarrhal Fever is not a zoonotic disease, as it does not infect humans. The virus is not transmitted to humans nor does it affect them in any way. Consequently, the occurrence of the disease in ruminants does not pose a risk to public health.

Recommendations for Livestock Farmers

The Veterinary Services recommend that livestock farmers remain vigilant and monitor their animals daily for symptoms that may indicate bluetongue.

If suspicious clinical symptoms appear—particularly fever, swelling of the face and muzzle, excessive salivation, blue discoloration of the tongue (hence the name “Blue Tongue Disease”), lesions in the oral cavity, or lameness, livestock owners should immediately contact their private veterinarian regarding these symptoms and notify the relevant Veterinary Services.

Early identification of suspected cases, laboratory testing, and continuous surveillance, combined with vaccination and appropriate measures to limit animal exposure to the virus’s vectors, are key elements for the effective control of the disease.

Any owner who observes clinical symptoms suggesting a suspected case of the disease is required, under the Animal Health Laws, to immediately notify the District Veterinary Officer of the district in which the animal is located by calling the following telephone numbers, depending on the district:

Nicosia District Veterinary Office, tel: 22 805241

Larnaca District Veterinary Office, tel: 24 821275

Famagusta District Veterinary Office, tel: 24 824555

Limassol District Veterinary Office, tel: 25 819512

Paphos District Veterinary Office, tel: 26 821260