Bluetongue disease is a non-
contagious,
insect-borne,
viral disease of
ruminants, mainly
sheep and less frequently cattle,
goats,
buffalo,
deer,
dromedaries, and
antelope. It is caused by the
Bluetongue virus (
BTV). The virus is transmitted by the
midge Culicoides imicola,
Culicoides variipennis, and other
culicoids.