EN
Bluetongue (BT) is a non-contagious, insect-transmitted, viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants. 24 serotypes of the virus have so far been recognized. BT virus is currently distributed between latitudes of approximately 500N and 350S but has tended to expand into the northern hemisphere. In the last few years the presence of bluetongue has been confirmed in many countries in the Mediterranean area, including Greece, Spain (Balearic islands, Southern Spain), Italy (Sicily, Sardinia), Portugal and France (Corsica) where conditions seem to favour the endemic persistence of the virus in these areas. However, culicoides midges, responsible for disease transmission, may also be found in other areas of the European Union during the warm season. Recently, the disease has been detected in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France. By July-August, BT virus had not been reported in these countries, nor had serotype 8 been reported in Europe. Outbreaks of BT serotype 8 are a significant development in the epidemiology of the disease in the Europe.