Bluetongue Found in Canadian Beef Cattle
CANADA – Bluetongue disease has been confirmed in three beef cattle in Ontario, reports the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reports after serology testing.
7 September 2015
1 minute read
The discovery is the first Canadian outbreak of the disease outside of the Okanagan Valley and the first instance of serotype 13, which is endemic in the US.
Subclinical cases were found in a herd of 43 cattle on 2 September by the national Bovine Serological Surveillance System.
An OIE spokesperson said: “Because these animals have never left the farm of origin, we conclude that transmission of bluetongue virus has occurred in Ontario for the first time.”
Certain serotypes are reportable diseases in Canada under the Health of Animals Act, excluding serotypes 2,10,11,13 and 17, which are classed as “immediately notifiable”.
All cases must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
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