Romania hit by the bluetongue disease

Bluetongue disease was confirmed in dozens of locations in Buzau county, Vaslui County and Prahova, affecting mainly sheeps but also cattle and goats. EU experts explain methods of transmission, the characteristics and dangers of this disease affecting livestock exports already showing a map of restricted areas in Europe.

Bluetongue is characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes, congestion, swelling and bleeding, but most of the affected animals heal illness. Sheeps are generally the most affected, while cattle and goats usually has no severe clinical signs of disease even if they carry the virus for a certain period.

The virus is transmitted through a small number of species, biting flies of the genus culicoides. Culicoides can be considered an important vector for the transmission of bluetongue when they have the ability to become infected and transmit the virus to replicate. In southern Europe culicoides imicola is the main vector for transmission of the virus. However, several native species of northern culicoides are capable of transmitting, as demonstrated by outbreaks of bluetongue in areas outside the geographical range of culicoides imicola.