Over 900 cattle heads affected by Blue Tongue disease
Morocco, Local, 10/20/2004

Some 971 cattle heads were reported affected by the Blue Tongue disease since last September 16 when the condition first appeared in Morocco, says the ministry of agriculture, rural development and sea fisheries.

However, the source says, the average morbidity rate went down from 8.2% to 6.2% this week while breeders report a mortality of 1.2% of animals affected by the viral disease.

Meanwhile, the virus responsible for this disease, also called catarrhal fever, has been serotyped and sequenced, says the source. The virus is of the serotype 4 which existed even before it appeared in Morocco in some North mediterranean countries. This serotype has large similarities with the one existing in Corsica.

A surveillance committee was set up to follow up the situation of cattles nationwide, monitor the appearance of new cases and propose health measures.

Morocco has also contacted health authorities in Spain in order to bring to Morocco Spanish experts and specialists.

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