1. WELCOME
Blue Tongue in Sheep and Goats
(Sore Muzzle, Pseudo Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Muzzle Disease)
Nirmal Kumar

2. Blue Tongue
• Bluetongue (BTV) is an insect borne
viral disease of domestic and wild
ruminants, especially sheep.
• The name refers to the blue
discoloration of the tongue and
mucous membranes, due to
cyanosis, which is sometimes seen
in cases of the disease.
• BTV is classified as an OIE list A
disease and is therefore notifiable.
Nirmal Kumar

3. Epidemiology
• Morbidity ~100% ; Mortality - 0 to 50%
• BT was first reported in India in 1961 in the state of Maharashtra.
Since then, the disease has been recorded in 11 states in India.
• BT is endemic in many parts of India and its outbreak in Tamil Nadu
during the monsoon season of 1997-98 caused the death of 300 000
sheep and goats.
Nirmal Kumar

4. Animal Transmission
• Biting midges
– Genus Culicoides (Principal
vector)
• Ticks, sheep kids
• In utero
• Mechanical
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5. Clinical Signs: General
• Incubation period: 5-20
days
– Fever, depression,
salivation
– Facial swelling, dyspnea,
panting, nasal discharge
– Hyperemia of muzzle, lips,
ears
– Pregnancy: Reabsorption,
abortion, “dummy” lambs
Nirmal Kumar

6. Clinical Signs: Specific
• Oral erosions and
ulcerations
• Tongue
– Swollen, protuding
– Cyanotic
= “blue-tongue”
• Feet
– Sore hooves,
lameness
– Coronitis
Nirmal Kumar

7. Clinical Signs of Sheep: Face &
Mouth
• Salivation
• Nasal discharge
• Facial swelling
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8. Clinical Signs of Sheep: Feet
• Coronitis • Lameness
– Inflammation of – Painful hooves
coronary band
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9. Treatment
• No specific treatment
• Supportive therapy
– Protection from the elements
– Fluids and electrolytes given
– Antibiotics for prevention of secondary infection
• Control of vectors by insecticide
– Reduce transmission
– Protect susceptible animals
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10. Prevention and Control
• Quarantine and movement controls
– Prevent spread of virus
• Animals confined indoors (i.e., barn)
– When vectors are active
• Disinfection
– Does not stop virus transmission
– Cleaning the premises
• Sodium hypochlorite (bleach)
• 3% Sodium hydroxide (lye)
• Insect control
• Vaccination
• Notification to authorities.
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11. Resources
• World Organization for Animal Health
(OIE)
– www.oie.int
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations (FAO)
– www.fao.org
• USDA-APHIS website
– www.aphis.usda.gov
Nirmal Kumar

12. Acknowledgments
• Dr.T. Bhuvaneswari
• Dr.Manoj Kumar
• Mr.Nirmal
• Dr. Sandhya Shenoy
• Dr.V.K.J. RAO
• Course Coordinators
DR. G. P. Reddy
DR. B. Sontaki
• Director, NAARM
Nirmal Kumar