Considerations for Developing Regulatory Policy to Prevent Importation of Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases

The Lessons Learned From Bluetongue Viruses

Abstract

Epidemiologic and entomologic investigations on bluetongue viruses have provided important information upon which to develop meaningful, less restrictive but safe regulatory policies for the international movement of ruminants and germplasm. The result of changes would be economic gain for all countries concerned with continued protection against the importation of foreign diseases. The goal of regulations should be to safely protect indigenous animals, but to do so without needlessly interfering with trade.

It is apparent that research on bluetongue disease has been beneficial and new information on other arthropod-borne pathogens, their vectors, and their hosts will continue to be useful to protect ruminant livestock. Continued research along the lines reviewed here on culicoides spp. 19 and other vectors of arthropod-borne diseases and these pathogens must be supported.

French and Spanish summaries on PDF.