Bluetongue in Israel - a brief historical overview.

Bluetongue (BT) was first observed in Israel in 1944. The author presents a brief history of BT in Israel and of selected topics which might be useful for the planning of control and prevention policies in newly affected areas within the Mediterranean Basin. Systematic epidemiological, virological and entomological monitoring has been ongoing in Israel since 1964. BT virus serotypes 2, 4, 6, 10 and 16 have been identified. The seasonality of the disease, susceptibility of selected sheep breeds, resistance of goats and of native sheep breeds, high seroconversion rate (combined with the absence of clinical signs or affected fertility) in bovines and the impact of vaccination with live-attenuated vaccines on pregnant sheep are presented and discussed.