SERIAL CYCLIC TRANSMISSION OF BLUETONGUE VIRUS IN SHEEP AND CULICOIDES-V ARIIPENNIS

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 66  (4) , 536-549
Abstract
Bluetongue virus (strain 62-45S) was transmitted from sheep to sheep throughout a year by vector bites. A colonized population (SONORA strain, 000 line) of the biological vector C. variipennis (Coquillett) was used. Fifteen serial cyclic transmissions covered a period of 13 mo. from Oct.-Nov. of the following year. The mean infection rate of the biting gnats was 37%. The clinical response to bluetongue virus was significantly more severe in sheep infected by vector bites than in those inoculated with the virus at the same sheep-serial passage level. A 2nd corroborative serial transmission was conducted for 7 mo. from June-Dec. The mean infection rate of the vector was 27%.