The Current world status of bluetongue

Abstract

Bluetongue (BT) is an infectious disease of ruminants caused by viruses of the genus orbivirus. Currently there are 24 known serotypes of bluetongue virus worldwide. These viruses have been recognized on six continents, Africa, North America, South America, Australia, Asia and Europe, and currently five continents (all but Europe) have infection. South Africa has the greatest number of serotypes, followed by Australia and the United States.

BTV is a double stranded RNA virus. There are 10 strands of RNA which code for the 7 structural and 3 nonstructural proteins. Gene segments 2 and 5 code for viral proteins 2 and 5. These proteins make up the outer coat and VP2 is responsible for neutralizing antigens. VP3 and 7 are the major proteins that make up the core. The core proteins, particularly VP7, is important for bluetongue group specificity.