Emerging threat of bluetongue in Eastern and North-Eastern Indian states

Albeit bluetongue (BT) in India is endemic to southern and western parts, eastern and north-eastern parts of the country didn't experience any outbreak or reported active disease. However, sero-epidemiology indicates bluetongue virus (BTV) is in circulation in animals and vectors of eastern and north-eastern states of India. Moreover, in recent years BTV has been isolated from sheep, Culicoides midges and goat from this region that substantiate the notion. All the epidemiological components of BT, viz. susceptible hosts, suitable climatic conditions for propagation of vectors, competent vectors are present that pose emerging disease threat in eastern and north-eastern parts of India. Hence, further surveillance and preparedness are recommended to avoid future BT outbreak, if any.