Russia develops test system for detecting bluetongue virus in animals

The latest cases of domestic animals being affected in the Netherlands were reported by European media. The virus was found in a sheep, a cow and her calf on two different farms in the Dutch province of Utrecht. We are talking about bluetongue serotype 12. "Bluetongue" is a viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants, such as sheep, goats, cattle, and deer. The disease is transmitted to animals through the bites of certain species of Culicoides midges, sometimes directly from a sick animal to a healthy one. "Bluetongue" does not affect people," Rospotrebnadzor reported. The causative agent of the disease is an RNA-containing virus of the Reoviridae family, genus Orbivirus. The pathogen is sensitive to disinfectants and is instantly inactivated by boiling. "Rospotrebnadzor monitors the presence and condition of epizootic foci both in Russia and abroad. Careful monitoring is carried out to exclude possible epidemiological ...