Blue-tongue

Blue-tongue is a non-contagious vector borne viral disease affecting sheep. The virus is an arbovirus (arbovirus is a term used to refer to a group of viruses that are transmitted by arthropod vectors such as fleas, ticks and spiders) that naturally infects domestic animals and is transmitted by several species of Culicoides (biting midges). The insect vectors of the blue-tongue virus breed in moist conditions in a variety of habitats, particularly damp, muddy areas and in faecal and plant matter.