bluetongue

Thân thiện

A sheep stands in a field showing symptoms of bluetongue.

Definition

Noun: 1. A viral disease of ruminants, especially sheep and cattle: Bluetongue is a non-contagious, insect-borne viral disease. It primarily affects domestic and wild ruminants. The virus is transmitted by certain species of biting midges (Culicoides).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The farmer quarantined the herd after a suspected case of bluetongue.
  • Bluetongue can cause high fever, swelling, and lesions in infected animals.
  • Vaccination is an important tool for controlling the spread of bluetongue.

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively used in veterinary, agricultural, and epidemiological contexts.
• It is often discussed in relation to animal health regulations, trade restrictions, and climate change, as the range of the insect vector can expand with warmer temperatures.

Variants and Related Words

• Bluetongue virus (BTV): The specific name of the virus that causes the disease.
  • Scientists are studying the different serotypes of the bluetongue virus.

Synonyms

• Catarrhal fever (obsolete): An older, less specific name for the disease.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The term "bluetongue" refers specifically to the animal disease. It is not used to describe the physical appearance of a tongue (e.g., a tongue that appears blue due to other medical conditions).

Học thuật

Noun

1. a viral disease of sheep and cattle that is transmitted by biting midges