Bluetongue, Portugal , November 26, 2004

Short Report

How extensive is bluetongue in Portugal , and what was the status of bluetongue prior to the outbreak?

Bluetongue disease (BT) has been reported in sheep and cattle in Alandroal and Campo Maior municipalities, in southeastern Portugal .  Bluetongue disease was last reported from Portugal in 1959.  Onset of clinical signs occurred on November 19, 2004.  As of November 26, 2004, four outbreaks were reported involving 901 sheep, 42 cattle and 19 goats.  The BT virus serotype has not been reported.  Control measures underway include quarantines and a ban on susceptible species movement.  Surveillance for insect vectors, Culicoides spp., has also been implemented.  For information on control measures for BT implemented by the European Union, please see

http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/animal/diseases/controlmeasures/bluetongue_en.htm.

Other recent reports of BT during September-November 2004 include Croatia , the People’s Republic of China , Spain , Morocco , and Corsica Island, France .  Outbreaks in Spain , Morocco , and Corsica Island were due to BT virus (BTV) serotype 4; a second serotype, 16, has also been found on Corsica Island.  The BTV serotype has not been reported for Croatia and the People’s Republic of China .

Outbreaks of BT have occurred annually throughout the Mediterranean basin since 1998.  Outbreaks in the eastern Mediterranean basin have been attributable to predominantly BTV-9, while BTV-2 has been the cause of most outbreaks in the western Mediterranean basin.  A summary of BT in the Mediterranean basin is available at:  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cei/EmergingDiseaseNotice_files/Bluetongue_MedBasin_EDNotice_Sep_04_files/Bluetongue_MedBasin_EDNotice_Sep_04.htm.  (Note: recent occurrences of BTV in peninsular Spain, Morocco and Portugal are not included in this summary report.)

Source: OIE

What are the US imports of affected animals or animal products from Portugal ?

The US imported no cattle, sheep, goats, or bovine embryos from Portugal in 2003 or 2004.  Imports of cattle, sheep, and goats into the US are restricted from European countries because of BSE.  Meat products and travelers are not considered a risk factor for BTV transmission.

Source: World Trade Atlas

What is Portugal ’s place in the international market for affected animals and animal products?

Portugal contributed less than 1 percent to world production of cattle, sheep and goats (Table 1) and exported less than 1 percent of world exports of these animals (Table 2).

Canada and Mexico did not import cattle, sheep, or goats from Portugal in 2002 or 2003.

Table 1: Cattle, Sheep, and Goat Stocks, Portugal, 2002 and 2003

Table 2:  Exports of Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Portugal , 2002 and 2003

Exports	2001		2002		% of World in 2002
	Quantity (head)	Value (1000 $)	Quantity (head)	Value (1000 $)	Quantity (head)	Value (1000 $)
Cattle	10	9	50	53	<1.0	<1.0
Sheep	27,049	1,510	23,158	1,431	<1.0	<1.0
Goats	44	4	5	1	<1.0	<1.0

Source:  FAO

For more information or comments on this worksheet, please contact Kathy Orloski at 970-494-7221.