Infectious animal diseases and control
Bluetongue
Bluetongue is a disease that affects ruminants. It is caused by an orbivirus and is spread between animals by a biting midge.
Generally, sheep are most severely affected by the disease. Infected cattle do not show signs of the disease but are carriers of the virus and are an important factor in its spread.
Symptoms and signs of the disease include:
- Fever
- Breathlessness
- Swelling and redness of the mouth, nose and eyelids - possibly including the blue discolouration of the tongue, hence the name of the disease.