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Authorities in Spain have detected bluetongue in cattle in 47 farms 

in the southern region of Andalusia, a regional government official 

said Friday [31 Aug 2007].



The councilor in charge of agriculture in Andalusia's regional 

government, Isaias Perez Saldana, told a news conference the disease 

could spread to the southwestern region of Extremadura and the 

central region of Castile-La Mancha.



Rules restricting the movement of livestock in the affected farms, as 

well as in farms found within a 20 km (12 mi) radius, would be 

"rigorously applied," he said.



Bluetongue affects ruminants -- animals such as cows and sheep, which 

chew the cud -- but not humans.



It is transmitted by insects and causes high fevers, mouth ulcers, 

swollen heads, and turns the tongue of an infected animal blue.



The disease has hit livestock in The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, 

and northern France in the past year after previously being confined 

to countries on the Mediterranean basin.



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[Similar information has been forwarded by Sabine Zentis.



Spain's follow-up report no. 1 to the OIE (World Organization for 

in the provinces of Huelva (24 Jul 2007) and Malaga (14 Aug 2007). 

Out of total susceptible population of 1753 sheep, 213 goats, and 21 

cattle, 58 sheep were reportedly affected of which 7 died and 3 were 

destroyed. No cases were seen in the goats or the cattle. The 

serotype involved was reported to be BTV-1, a new serotype in Spain 

(recorded for the 1st time in July 2007). The full report, including 

a map, is available at



The current media-derived information, according to which 47 cattle 

farms have been affected, should be regarded as suspect until 

officially confirmed or otherwise. In particular, it is important to 

note if clinical disease has been observed in the bovines or just 

seropositives.  In previous years (2004, 2005, and 2006), bluetongue 

in Spain was caused by BTV-4. The disease involved mainly sheep. - Mod.AS]



2006

----

Bluetongue, domestic ruminants - Spain 20061027.3078

Bluetongue, domestic ruminants, 2005 - Spain 20060223.0590]

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