Camelidae and Cervidae Bluetongue Virus Study Guide

Overview and Clinical Importance

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an arthropod-borne, non-contagious viral disease caused by a member of the genus Orbivirus within the family Sedoreoviridae. BTV affects domestic and wild ruminants as well as camelids worldwide. While sheep are classically considered the most susceptible species with severe clinical disease, both camelids (llamas, alpacas, camels) and cervids (white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, red deer) exhibit variable susceptibility ranging from subclinical infection to fatal hemorrhagic disease.

Understanding BTV in camelids and cervids is essential for NAVLE preparation because these species are increasingly common in veterinary practice, outbreaks can cause significant mortality in naive populations, and the disease has important regulatory and trade implications.

Etiology

Viral Classification: BTV belongs to the genus Orbivirus, family Sedoreoviridae (formerly Reoviridae). The virus is a non-enveloped, double-stranded RNA virus with a triple-layered icosahedral capsid structure.