Use of a quadrivalent modified-live bluetongue virus vaccine in wildlife species

Three hundred and twenty-seven animals comprised of deer, mouflon sheep and bighorn sheep were vaccinated with an experimental quadrivalent, modified-live, bluetongue virus (BTV) vaccine. No untoward effects due to the vaccine were noted nor were abortions observed in vaccinated pregnant mouflon sheep. Precipitating antibodies to BTV and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) virus were identified in the serum of several animals prior to vaccination. Virus neutralizing antibodies to 3 of the 5 serotypes of BTV which exist in the US were identified in the serum of 2 peninsular bighorn sheep.