Mystery surrounds European outbreaks of sheep virus

AFP, August, 2006

BRUSSELS (AFP) — Health experts baffled by the appearance in Europe of a strain of virus that is deadly to sheep believe it could come from sub-Saharan Africa, a European Commission spokesman said. European scientists have identified the strain of bluetongue -- a disease transmitted to sheep by insects but which is not contagious nor known to affect humans -- as "serotype eight", the commission's health spokesman said.

"It's a strain which has never been identified before in Europe," said Philip Tod. "The laboratory experts tell us that is likely to be a strain which is sub-Saharan in origin. We don't know how this strain ended up in Europe." The outbreak was detected on August 17 in the southern Netherlands, but Belgium and Germany have since reported cases. Although bluetongue is frequently reported in southern Europe, the outbreak is the first in northern Europe, according to the EU's executive body. ...