Epidemiologic study of bluetongue in sheep, cattle and different species of wild animals in the Ivory Coast]

Between 1992 and 1993, a serological survey was conducted in Côte d'Ivoire on 623 sera from sheep, 215 sera from cattle and 211 sera from wild herbivores. These sera were tested for bluetongue virus (BTV) antibodies using an agar gel immunodiffusion test. The purpose of this survey was twofold: to establish the incidence of bluetongue in the country, and to analyse the putative role of BTV in the reproductive pathology of sheep. Seroprevalence was 52 +/- 4% in sheep, 95 +/- 3% in cattle, and 56 +/- 7% in wild herbivores. The authors found antibodies against BTV in kob (Kobus kob Erxleben, 1777), common waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus Ogilby, 1833), roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus Desmarest, 1804), buffalo (Syncerus caffer Sparrman, 1779), hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus Pallas, 1766) and elephant (Loxodonta africana Blumenbach, 1797). A significant difference was found in seroprevalence in sheep between the three areas covered by the survey. Antibody prevalence increased significantly with age in sheep and wild herbivores, and seroprevalence was higher in dams with a history of abortion. It can therefore be concluded that bluetongue is enzootic in Côte d'Ivoire.