Bluetongue infections in Louisiana cattle

Bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 17 was isolated from cattle with clinical signs of bluetongue disease during 1978 and 1979 epizootics. Bovine sera from 6 herds located in an epizootic region were examined in 1979 for antibodies, using an immunodiffusion (ID) test. Of 300 sera, 164 (54.7%) were seropositive. Sera from statewide surveys of Louisiana cattle in July to August 1980 and December 1980 to January 1981 were tested for BTV antibodies, using the ID test. Fifty-eight of 70 herds (82.9%) and 164 of 597 (27.5%) individual cattle tested in July to August 1980 were seropositive. Fifty-four of 63 (85.7%) herds and 170 of 600 (28.3%) individual cattle tested in December 1980 to January 1981 were seropositive. Significant differences (P less than 0.01) were found in the seropositive rates between the various geographic regions of the state during each survey. Adult breeding-age cattle in 3 sentinel herds were tested for BTV antibodies beginning in 1976 and continuing through January 1981. During this interval, the seropositive rate in 2 of 3 herds was increased. Also, individual cattle in all 3 of these herds converted from seronegative to seropositive, indicating exposure during a particular interval for each herd. The age distribution of seropositive cattle in a dairy indicated that 2-year-old cattle had a seropositive rate comparable with that of older animals in the herd, suggesting that the 2-year-old animals had been exposed to a BTV before they entered the breeding herd.