Bluetongue, Spain , October 20, 2004

Short Report

How extensive is the disease in the affected countries, and what was the disease status of the countries prior to the outbreak?

Bluetongue virus (BTV) has been reported in one herd of 695 cattle in Cadiz province in southern peninsular (mainland) Spain .  The disease was first detected on October 4, 2004; the BTV serotype has not yet been reported.  An outbreak of bluetongue disease (BT) was reported in Spain on Menorca island in October 2003; however, the last outbreak of BT on peninsular Spain occurred during 1956-1960 and was the largest known outbreak of BT prior to the Mediterranean basin outbreak that began in 1998.  The European Union Commission issued a Decision on October 14, 2004 banning the movement of live animals of species susceptible to BT and their sperm, ova, and embryos from the Spanish provinces of Cadiz, Seville, and Malaga and certain districts of the Provinces of Cordoba, Granada and Huelva.  In addition, Member States were instructed to amend their trade measures accordingly.  Reports of control measures being implemented in Spain include stamping out, vaccination, vector control and animal movement restrictions.  For a map showing the location of Cadiz province, please see the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), weekly disease information for October 15, 2004 at "http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_23.HTM#Sec4".  Click on “Bluetongue in Spain ”, and then click on “Location”.

From 1998-2004, five serotypes of BTV caused outbreaks in 16 countries in the Mediterranean basin and southern Europe.  A summary of this outbreak is available at USDA/APHIS/VS:
www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cei/EmergingDiseaseNotice_files/Bluetongue_MedBasin_EDNotice_Sep_04_files/Bluetongue_MedBasin_EDNotice_Sep_04.htm (note: the recent occurrence of bluetongue virus in peninsular Spain is not included in this summary report).

Sources: OIE, Official Journal of the European Union,10-15-2004,

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

What are the U.S. imports of affected animals or animal products from Spain ?

The US imported no cattle, sheep, goats, or bovine embryos from Spain in 2003 or 2004.  Imports of cattle, sheep, and goats into the US are restricted from all European countries because of BSE.  The US did import bovine semen from Spain in 2003 and January through August 2004. These imports totaled 7,150 doses and 5,750 doses, respectively, with a value of about $66,000 and $26,000.  In order to export bovine semen into the US , Spain is required either to

certify to BT freedom or to test animals from which semen is collected.  Meat products and travelers are not considered a risk factor for BTV transmission.

Source: World Trade Atlas

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

In 2003, Spain contributed less than 1% to world cattle production; however, Spain accounted for 2% and 4% of world sheep and goat production, respectively (Table 1).  In 2003, Spain accounted for 1%, 2.5%, and less than 1% of world exports of cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively (Table 2).  Exports of cattle, sheep, and goats in 2003 went primarily to European Union countries.  These exports went to a total of 10, 12 and 7 countries, respectively, with the top three countries being Italy , France , and Portugal .  Exports of bovine semen went to a total of 18 countries, the top six countries being Portugal , Italy , France , Brazil , Mexico , and Turkey . 

Neither Canada nor Mexico imported any cattle, sheep, or goats from Spain in 2002 or 2003.  In 2003, Mexico and Canada imported 49,700 doses and 3,150 doses, respectively, of bovine semen, from Spain .

Table 1: Cattle, Sheep, and Goat Stocks and Production, Spain , 2002 and 2003

Source: FAO

Table 2:  Exports of Cattle, Sheep, Goats, and Bovine Semen, Spain , 2002 and 2003

Exports	20021		20031		% of World in 20022
	Quantity (# head or # doses)	Value (1000 $)	Quantity (# head or # doses)	Value (1000 $)	Quantity (# head or # doses)	Value (1000 $)
Cattle	89,724	68,671	89,641	87,815	1.0	1.5
Sheep	656,859	32,470	476,063	26,433	2.5	2.3
Goats	27,485	908	42,718	2,255	<1.0	<1.0
Bovine, semen	320,323	978	417,580	1,551	*	*

¹ source Global Trade Atlas

² source FAO

* not available

If you seek more information or wish to comment on this worksheet, please contact Judy Akkina at 970-494-7324 or Liz Williams at 970-494-7329.