Sheep

By Dr. Laura Williams, Parasitology Section Head, Washington Animal Disease Diagnostics Laboratory

Bluetongue virus, or BTV, is an orbivirus. There are 26 known serotypes that infect ruminants including cattle, sheep, goats, wildlife (deer), and new world camelids.

Some of the recent risk assessments for the claim that food animal antimicrobial use (AMU) is a problem, highlight current antimicrobial uses in dairy cattle, risks for AMR, and focus on areas for improvement of antimicrobial stewardship in the dairy industry.

Like humans, livestock also face health risks from wildfires. Animals suffering pain, shock, and long-lasting complications from burns or inhaling smoke particles are concerns for livestock owners.

The current VSV outbreak, its associated Canadian import restrictions, and the importance of this reportable disease.