Bluetongue in Captive Yaks
2008

Bluetongue in Captive Yaks

Sample size: 2 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Mauroy Axel, Guyot Hugues, De Clercq Kris, Cassart Dominique, Thiry Etienne, Saegerman Claude

Primary Institution: University of Liège, Liège, Belgium

Conclusion

Yaks in captivity can show severe clinical signs and lesions due to bluetongue virus infection.

Supporting Evidence

  • Yaks showed clinical signs of bluetongue including weight loss and swollen tongues.
  • Necropsies revealed severe lung congestion and hemorrhagic enteritis.
  • RT-qPCR confirmed the presence of bluetongue virus in tissue samples.

Takeaway

Some yaks got really sick and died from a virus that usually affects other animals, showing that yaks can get this disease too.

Methodology

Clinical examinations and necropsies were performed, and RT-qPCR was used to detect BTV RNA in tissue samples.

Limitations

The source of BTV-8 in the outbreak remains unclear, and the role of wild ruminants in transmission is not fully understood.

Participant Demographics

Yaks (Bos grunniens grunniens) in captivity in Belgium.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3201/eid1404.071416

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication