Current status of bluetongue in Europe

The article reviews the present epidemiological situation of bluetongue (BT) in Europe. After a four year break, disease caused by BTV serotype 8 reappeared in west Europe. On 11 September 2015, an outbreak of BTV8 was confirmed in central France (Allier department), and four weeks later, on 6 October, 45 outbreaks of 118 cases were confirmed in Allier, Puy-de-Dome, Creuse, Nicvre and Cher departments. Besides, BT caused by BTV1 and BTV4 is still circulating in some regions of southern and south-eastern Europe. Since 2013 disease caused by BTV1 was spreading extensively over the central and south Italy and in the south of French Corsica island. BTV1 cases were also confirmed in the southwest Spain (Caceres and Toledo provinces) and at the end of 2014 BTV1 outbreak has been reported in a single (sentinel) holding in the region of Cadiz. More recently, BTV1 has been detected in Croatia (Sibenik area, Central Dalmatia). Furthermore, multiple outbreaks of BTV4 in cattle and sheep were reported across many regions of southern Europe. In the period from May to July 2014, 125 outbreaks of BTV4 have been confirmed in Greece (Peloponnese and Evros regions). The first suspicion of BTV4 in Spain was reported in September 2014 and at the beginning of December, 351 outbreaks were confirmed in the southern part of country. On 4 July 2014 the first outbreak of BTV4 was reported at the southeastern Bulgaria (Burgas Region), near the border with Turkey and by the end of 2014 disease was confirmed in all 28 administrative districts of Bulgaria. Moreover, on 23 August 2014 the first outbreak of BTV4 was confirmed in south-east of Romania (Buzau county) and as for 3 December 2014 disease was confirmed in 34 from 42 counties of this country, totally 1128 outbreaks and 4075 affected animals. After a few months break, in September BTV4 reappeared in Botosani county in northern Moldavia and on 6 October 14 outbreaks of 26 cases in cattle were confirmed. BTV4 outbreaks have also been reported in many other regions of Balkans countries: Albania, Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. BTV4 infected animals were also detected in Hungary; the first outbreak was reported on 14 October 2014 in Csongrad county. Up to 5 December, 77 outbreaks (30 primary and 47 secondary) in 5 counties were confirmed. In September 2015, BTV4 reappeared and on 6 October, 12 outbreaks of 33 cases in cattle in Tolna, Baranya and Somogy county were reported. In total, in the whole Balkan/Peloponnese/Central Europe region, over 5500 outbreaks have been confirmed. Disease control measures, such as movement restrictions are in place although vaccination is not being used at present in the Eastern EU Member States for BTV4 because of a combination of vaccine availability, cost and farmer acceptance. BT restriction zones have been regularly updated and as of 6 October 2015, 12 zones were defined.