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Evidence of bluetongue virus serotypes 1 and 16 in oryx antelope imported from the Sultanate of Oman during the quarantine period on Veliki Brijun Island, Croatia

On 4 March 2010, ten individual oryx antelopes were imported into Croatia from the Sultanate of Oman. The oryx antelopes were placed into quarantine on the island of Veliki Brijun, situated 3 kilometres offshore of the southwestern part of the Istrian Peninsula. The animals were intended to spend six months on the island before being transported to their final destination in the United Kingdom. The test results accompanying the animals indicated a negative test for bluetongue (BT). During quarantine, the animals were serologically tested for the BT virus, using cELISA. Four oryx tested positive for BT virus antibodies. Blood samples of the oryx were sent for testing to the Reference Laboratory for bluetongue for the EU and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in Pirbright. The BTV serotype 16 was identified in one animal and BTV serotype 1 in two animals, while the PCR method did not determine the type of BTV in the fourth animal. In order to establish the potential spread of the BT virus vector, the competent body began an entomological survey of Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), using Onderspoort blacklight suction traps at two locations on Veliki Brijun island (in the oryx quarantine and in the sheep stable near to the quarantine site). Insect samples were collected every second day until 5 April, when the animals were transported back to the Sultanate of Oman. The insect samples were analysed by the Croatian Veterinary Institute in Zagreb. A total of six catches were captured in the oryx quarantine facility, however, none of the samples included insects of the genus Culicoides. One of the six catches collected near to the sheep stables was identified as a vector of the Obsoletus Complex. Based on the measures taken and the survey results obtained, it is very important that no vectors of the BT virus were identified in the oryx quarantine.

oryx antelope, quarantine, bluetongue virus serotype 1, bluetongue virus, serotype 16, Croatia

nije evidentirano