Overview of bluetongue in Greece.

Abstract

The history and epizootiology of bluetongue (BT) in Greece are described in detail. Three major epidemics of BT occurred in Greece, the first in 1979, due to bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 4, in 1998-1999 due mainly to BTV-4 and BTV-9 and less to BTV-16 and in 2001 due mainly to BTV-1. The evolution of the disease, surveillance and control measures are presented, as well as the distribution of the BTV serotypes isolated.