Blue tongue disease in sheep and goats

WELCOMEBlue Tongue in Sheep and Goats

(Sore Muzzle, Pseudo Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Muzzle Disease)

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Blue Tongue• Bluetongue (BTV) is an insect borne

viral disease of domestic and wildruminants, especially sheep.

• The name refers to the bluediscoloration of the tongue andmucous membranes, due tocyanosis, which is sometimes seenin cases of the disease.

• BTV is classified as an OIE list Adisease and is therefore notifiable.

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• Morbidity ~100% ; Mortality - 0 to 50%

• BT was first reported in India in 1961 in the state of Maharashtra.Since then, the disease has been recorded in 11 states in India.

• BT is endemic in many parts of India and its outbreak in Tamil Naduduring the monsoon season of 1997-98 caused the death of 300 000sheep and goats.

Epidemiology

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• Biting midges

– Genus Culicoides (Principal vector)

• Ticks, sheep kids

• In utero

• Mechanical

Animal Transmission

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• Incubation period: 5-20 days– Fever, depression,

salivation

– Facial swelling, dyspnea, panting, nasal discharge

– Hyperemia of muzzle, lips, ears

– Pregnancy: Reabsorption, abortion, “dummy” lambs

Clinical Signs: General

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• Oral erosions and ulcerations

• Tongue– Swollen, protuding– Cyanotic

= “blue-tongue”• Feet

– Sore hooves, lameness

– Coronitis

Clinical Signs: Specific

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• Salivation

• Nasal discharge

• Facial swelling

Clinical Signs of Sheep: Face & Mouth

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• Coronitis– Inflammation of

coronary band

• Lameness– Painful hooves

Clinical Signs of Sheep: Feet

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• No specific treatment

• Supportive therapy

– Protection from the elements

– Fluids and electrolytes given

– Antibiotics for prevention of secondary infection

• Control of vectors by insecticide

– Reduce transmission

– Protect susceptible animals

Treatment

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• Quarantine and movement controls– Prevent spread of virus

• Animals confined indoors (i.e., barn)– When vectors are active

• Disinfection– Does not stop virus transmission– Cleaning the premises

• Sodium hypochlorite (bleach)

• 3% Sodium hydroxide (lye)

• Insect control• Vaccination• Notification to authorities.

Prevention and Control

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Resources• World Organization for Animal Health

(OIE)– www.oie.int

• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)– www.fao.org

• USDA-APHIS website– www.aphis.usda.gov

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Acknowledgments

• Dr.T. Bhuvaneswari• Dr.Manoj Kumar• Mr.Nirmal• Dr. Sandhya Shenoy• Dr.V.K.J. RAO• Course Coordinators

DR. G. P. ReddyDR. B. Sontaki

• Director, NAARM

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