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Title: REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BLUETONGUE AND BOVINE RETROVIRUS

Author
item MECHAM, JAMES
item OSTLUND, EILEEN - USDA, APHIS, NVSL
item GERTONSON, ARNOLD - STATE OF MONTANA
item STALLKNECT, DAVID - UNIV OF GEORGIA
item KAHN, SARAH - CANADIAN FOOD INSP AGENCY
item DELVER, LARRY - CANADIAN FOOD INSP AGENCY
item LOPEZ, JORGE - PAHO
item KENCH, LOUISE - BIO SECURITY AUSTRALIA
item GIOVANNINI, ARMANDO - INST ZOO TERMAO ITALY
item MURPHY, MOLLY - UNIV OF GEORGIA

Submitted to: United States Animal Health Association Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/22/2002
Publication Date: 10/17/2002
Citation: Mecham, J.O., Ostlund, E., Gertonson, A., Stallknect, D., Kahn, S., Delver, L., Lopez, J., Kench, L., Giovannini, A., Murphy, M. 2002. Report of the committee on bluetongue and bovine retrovirus. United States Animal Health Association Proceedings, Oct 17-24, St. Louis, MO, p.150-162.

Interpretive Summary: This paper presents the report of the `Bluetongue and Bovine Retrovirus Committee' meeting held October 21, 2002 during the annual meeting of the United States Animal Health Association in St. Louis, Missouri. An update was given on diagnostic observations for bluetongue, epizootic hemorrhagic disease and bovine leucosis virus in the United States over the past year. In addition, information was presented on a sero-survey study of yearling cattle in Montana. Information was also presented on the occurrence, diagnosis and distribution of bluetongue in Canada, Australia, South America, Southern Europe and the Mediterranean Basin. Bluetongue status of a country is a major impediment for livestock exports. International trade rules are ultimately set by the importing country; but they are guided by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), the World Trade Organization, the Sanitary Phytosanitary Agreement, technical barriers to trade, risk assessment, and the Precautionary Prinicple (WTO SPS Agtreement). These trade rules need to be based on scientifically sound data and risk assessment. Bluetongue is a federally reportable disease in Canada. Canada has an active surveillance and sentinal program. New import regulations/policies are risk-assessment based and developed in accordance with international standards. The low prevalence of bluetongue in nine states has facilitated the importation of feeder cattle from the United States into Canada. Australia has done extensive research and surveillance to understand the epidemiology and distribution of bluetongue in that country. This information has led to the establishment of bluetongue zones and is being used to assist export negotiations. Easing of overly restrictive bluetongue requirements for importation of livestock is an important goal for Australia. In South America, bluetongue diagnosis has been implemented as an adjunct to the foot and mouth disease (FMD) surveillance program. Several countries now perform bluetongue surveys for epidemiological surveillance or to fulfill export requirements. Bluetongue virus was diagnosed in the Mediterranean Basin in 1998 and has since spread. Regionalization and an intensive vaccination program has been used to reduce virus circulation significantly. Information on factors affecting cyclic outbreaks of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in deer was presented. Herd immunity and regional drought conditions have been identified as factors affecting these outbreaks. Finally, information was presented on temporal and spatial genetic variation of EHD virus. Sequence data of several genes indicates that this virus is genetically quite stable.

Technical Abstract: This paper presents the report of the `Bluetongue and Bovine Retrovirus Committee' meeting held October 21, 2002 during the annual meeting of the United States Animal Health Association in St. Louis, Missouri. An update was given on diagnostic observations for bluetongue, epizootic hemorrhagic disease and bovine leucosis virus in the United States over the past year. In addition, information was presented on a sero-survey study of yearling cattle in Montana. Information was also presented on the occurrence, diagnosis and distribution of bluetongue in Canada, Australia, South America, Southern Europe and the Mediterranean Basin. Bluetongue status of a country is a major impediment for livestock exports. International trade rules are ultimately set by the importing country; but they are guided by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), the World Trade Organization, the Sanitary Phytosanitary Agreement, technical barriers to trade, risk assessment, and the Precautionary Prinicple (WTO SPS Agtreement). These trade rules need to be based on scientifically sound data and risk assessment. Bluetongue is a federally reportable disease in Canada. Canada has an active surveillance and sentinal program. New import regulations/policies are risk-assessment based and developed in accordance with international standards. The low prevalence of bluetongue in nine states has facilitated the importation of feeder cattle from the United States into Canada. Australia has done extensive research and surveillance to understand the epidemiology and distribution of bluetongue in that country. This information has led to the establishment of bluetongue zones and is being used to assist export negotiations. Easing of overly restrictive bluetongue requirements for importation of livestock is an important goal for Australia. In South America, bluetongue diagnosis has been implemented as an adjunct to the foot and mouth disease (FMD) surveillance program. Several countries now perform bluetongue surveys for epidemiological surveillance or to fulfill export requirements. Bluetongue virus was diagnosed in the Mediterranean Basin in 1998 and has since spread. Regionalization and an intensive vaccination program has been used to reduce virus circulation significantly. Information on factors affecting cyclic outbreaks of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in deer was presented. Herd immunity and regional drought conditions have been identified as factors affecting these outbreaks. Finally, information was presented on temporal and spatial genetic variation of EHD virus. Sequence data of several genes indicates that this virus is genetically quite stable.