Ecuador Reports Five Bluetongue Outbreaks in Various Regions
ECUADOR - The country's veterinary authorities have reported five new outbreaks of Bluetongue in five regions across different locations.
3 March 2017
1 minute read
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received follow-up report no. 2 on 1 March. The outbreak initially occurred on 14 December 2015, and was later confirmed on 8 January 2016 after a competitive ELISA (c-ELISA) test was conducted at the Animal Diagnosis Laboratory, Agrocalidad Animal, on 30 December 2016.
The causal agent of the outbreaks has been found to be Bluetongue virus (BTV), but the serotype has not been determined.
The affected population comprises backyard cattle in Pastaza, Zamora Chinchipe, Morona Santiago and Chimborazo.
A total of 19 animals were found susceptible, out of which 18 animals were found to be affected and one death was recorded.
According to the OIE, the animal diagnosis laboratory, Agrocalidad, is taking steps to obtain the pairs of primers specific to the most frequent serotypes in America and the Caribbean. The sanitary situation was controlled.
One of the major control measures that have been applied is vaccination of animals (if a vaccine exists). However, none of the affected animals have received treatment.
The cause of the outbreaks remains inconclusive.
The map below indicates locations where the outbreaks have taken place:
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