OVERVIEW OF BLUETONGUE OUTBREAKS IN EUROPE AND DISEASE CONTROL IN BULGARIA IN THE PERIOD 2011-2021

Abstract

Bluetongue (BT) is an acute, viral, vector-borne, non-contagious disease of ruminants caused by Bluetonguevirus (BTV). Twenty-six different serotypes have been identified, and the ability of each strain to cause disease varies widely. BTV can infect a wide range of domestic and wild ruminants - sheep, goats, cattle, buffalo, deer, most species of African antelope and camels. For the study period (2011-2021), outbreaks were declared in 21 member states in Europe with predominant serotypes 1, 4 and 8. Based on data from Animal Disease Information System (ADIS) with the present paper we analyzed the distribution of the BTV serotypes within the affected countries and found that particular serotypes tend to spread to particular countries. The development of regulatory measures for prevention, surveillance and eradication of BT is discussed based on the European legislation.