Bluetongue is a disease of animals affecting all ruminants, including sheep, cattle, deer, goats and camelids (camels, llamas, alpacas, guanaco and vicuna). It does not affect horses. Bluetongue does not affect humans. Although sheep are most severely affected, cattle are the main carriers of the virus. Bluetongue is characterized by changes to the mucous linings of the mouth and nose and the coronary band of the foot. The disease is caused by a virus spread by certain types of biting midges. Bluetongue is present when it is confirmed by laboratory tests that the Bluetongue virus ( BTV) is circulating in an area.

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