A wide-awake farmer will know immediately if a disease is creeping into his sheep shed. By knowing the symptoms, he will be able to take proper corrective steps immediately. However, a brilliant farmer will vaccinate his animals beforehand against known diseases such as bluetongue, before any stress or losses can occur.

We thank the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the Republic of South Africa for distributing this vital information on animal diseases.

What is bluetongue and what causes it?

Bluetongue is a non-contagious, viral disease spread by biting insects. It affects ruminants, particularly sheep. Bluetongue causes many different symptoms in affected animals, including ulcers, sores, painful hooves, lameness and reproductive problems. Affected animals can have a slight to severe blue discolouration of the gums and tongue, hence the name. The disease occurs worldwide.

Which animals get bluetongue?

The bluetongue virus affects many domestic and wild ruminants. The disease is seen most often in sheep, occasionally in goats, and rarely in cattle.

How can my animals get bluetongue?

The bluetongue virus is spread by insects called biting midges (Culicoides spp). Biting flies may also play a role in mechanically transmitting the virus. Bluetongue is not contagious and is not spread by contact between animals; there must be midges (vectors) present to spread the disease. The virus may also be spread from an infected animal to an uninfected animal by using the same needle to inject these animals.

How can you tell if your animals have bluetongue?

Signs of bluetongue include fever, excessive salivation, depression, and difficulty in breathing. Animals may have nasal discharge and a reddened and ulcerated muzzle, lips, and ears. The lips and tongue may be very swollen, causing the tongue to stick out from the mouth. The tongue is often bluish in colour, giving the disease its name.

The hooves are often very painful, making animals reluctant to move, and in some cases the hooves may actually slough off. Sheep that do survive can lose some or all of their wool. A more severe symptom is abortion or birth of malformed lambs.

Can I get bluetongue?

No, humans are not susceptible to the bluetongue virus.

Who should I contact if I suspect bluetongue?

Contact your state/private veterinarian
or animal health technician immediately if you suspect your animals have bluetongue.

How can I protect my animals from bluetongue?

The best way to reduce the chances of bluetongue is regular vaccination with a registered vaccine according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Dip, spray or apply pour-on with an insecticide to protect animals from midges. Moving animals into barns during the vector’s peak activity time, which is from dusk until dawn, may also help to protect them from midges that cause bluetongue.

For further information, contact your nearest animal health technician or state/private veterinarian, or visit the website of the Department: Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Republic of South Africa, at www.daff.gov.za.