Bluetongue,
Canada
Information received on 05/09/2015 from Dr Martine Dubuc, OIE Delegate for Canada, Chief Food Safety Officer Vice-President, Science Branch, Health Ministry, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, Canada
Summary
Report type Immediate notification (Final report)
Date of start of the event 07/08/2015
Date of confirmation of the event 02/09/2015
Report date 05/09/2015
Date submitted to OIE 05/09/2015
Date event resolved 02/09/2015
Reason for notification First occurrence of a listed disease
Manifestation of disease Sub-clinical infection
Causal agent Bluetongue virus
Serotype 13
Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to a defined zone within the country
New outbreaks (1)
Outbreak 1 (ONT-2015-001) Chatham-Kent, ONTARIO
Date of start of the outbreak 07/08/2015
Outbreak status Resolved (02/09/2015)
Epidemiological unit Farm
Affected animals
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered
Cattle 42 3 0 0 1
Affected population Beef cattle production.
Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1
Total animals affected
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered
Cattle 42 3 0 0 1
Outbreak statistics
Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Cattle 7.14% 0.00% 0.00% 2.38%
*Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
  • Unknown or inconclusive
Epidemiological comments Sporadic incursions of bluetongue have occurred in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia in the past. This is the first occurrence of bluetongue serotype 13 in Canada, and the first occurrence of bluetongue outside the Okanagan Valley. Confirmation of this outbreak is based on serology only and is reported in compliance with Chapter 8.3.1.3 of the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code. The index animal was detected at slaughter by the national Bovine Serological Surveillance System. Two more seropositive animals were identified through on-farm investigation and testing. No clinical signs were observed in any of the 3 animals. PCR negative results are supportive of a past infection. Because these animals have never left the farm of origin, we conclude that transmission of bluetongue virus has occurred in Ontario for the first time. Bluetongue virus serotype 13 is endemic to the United States of America. The affected beef cattle farm is located in Southwestern Ontario, within 100km from the border with the United States of America. Canada does not implement control measures for bluetongue serotypes 2, 10, 11, 13 and 17. These serotypes are considered endemic in the United States of America.
Control measures
Measures applied
  • Vaccination prohibited
  • No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied
  • No other measures
Diagnostic test results
Laboratory name and type Species Test Test date Result
National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (National laboratory) Cattle antibody detection ELISA 28/08/2015 Positive
National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (National laboratory) Cattle polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 02/09/2015 Negative
National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (National laboratory) Cattle seroneutralization test (SNT) 02/09/2015 Positive
Future Reporting
The event is resolved. No more reports will be submitted.
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http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wa...reportid=18593