Emergence of Bluetongue Virus Serotype 1 in French Corsica Island in September 2013

Since 2000, French Corsica Island has been exposed to the emergence of three different BT virus (BTV) serotypes: serotype 2 in 2000 and 2001, serotype 4 in 2003 and serotype 16 in 2004. Between 2005 and August 2013, no outbreaks have been reported in the French Island. At the beginning of September 2013, sheep located in the south of the island showed clinical signs suggestive of BTV infection. Laboratory analyses identified the virus as BTV serotype 1. Phylogenetic studies showed that the sequences of this strain are closely related to the BTV-1 strain that was circulating in the Mediterranean basin and in Sardinia in 2012.

Likely Introduction Date of Schmallenberg Virus into France According to Monthly Serological Surveys in Cattle

To estimate the date of introduction of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) into France, the prevalence of antibodies against the virus was determined monthly in cattle from two northern departments from August 2011 to April 2012. Seropositive cattle were detected from October 2011 in both departments with a prevalence of 55.6% in the westernmost department (Meurthe-et-Moselle) and of 12.7% in the easternmost department (Manche). Schmallenberg virus seroprevalence then increased rapidly to high levels.