Scientists in the Institute for Animal Health believe that it is a distinct possibility that bluetongue virus survives the winter by passing from pregnant infected ruminants to their offspring whilst in the womb. After birth, the young animals provide biting midges (the “vector”) with a fresh source of virus when they take a blood meal. 
Young animals provide midges (pictured, a midge feeding) with a fresh source of virus
Photo: Institute of Animal Health
Knowing how the virus over-winters is a vital before the 2008 vector season gets underway, as it might be possible to introduce preventative measures before transmission re-commences.
This is especially important in the UK where so far the virus has been limited to a restricted area within England, largely in the east, and may still be able to be eradicated.
“In essence we have a once-only opportunity to eliminate the virus from the UK before it devastates our ruminant industry as it has already done on the near continent in 2007,” said Professor Philip Mellor, Head of bluetongue research within the Institute for Animal Health.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has just provided financial resources to Professor Mellor’s team to investigate if bluetongue virus is surviving in this way, and potentially fuelling a 2008 outbreak.
This investigation has been prompted by recent observations in Holland and the UK that indicate that ruminant offspring that are weak, still-born, and/or PCR (polymerase chain reaction)-positive are now being born to dams that were infected with bluetongue virus last year.
The Institute for Animal Health is the largest research institute in the United Kingdom dedicated to the study of infectious diseases in farm animals. It has two campuses: Pirbright Laboratory (Pirbright, near Guildford, Surrey) and Compton Laboratory (Compton, near Newbury, Berkshire). IAH is one of seven research institutes sponsored by the BBSRC.
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