Bluetongue virus symptoms

Signs of the disease vary but include several possible symptoms.

• fever of 105 to 107.5 degrees Fahrenheit

• listlessness, reluctance to move

• swelling of lips, tongue, nose, face, jaw, eyelids and sometimes ears

• excessive salivation, congestion and nasal discharge

• ulcers in the mouth and nose

• difficulty breathing, increased respiratory rate

• lameness and depression

• severe swelling of the tongue; it may become cyanotic – “blue” tongue – and even protrude from the mouth

• abnormal wool growth resulting from dermatitis

• abortion, or birth of malformed lambs or calves

Source – USDA

Report signs of animal disease

Producers or owners who suspect an animal disease should contact their veterinarian to evaluate the animal or herd.

Animal-health professionals – veterinarians; diagnostic laboratories; public-health, zoo or wildlife personnel, and others – should report diagnosed or suspected cases of nationally listed reportable animal diseases to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Area Veterinarians in Charge and to a state animal-health official as applicable under state reporting regulations.

Visit www.aphis.usda.gov/contact/animal-health for more information.