Bluetongue, Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease, and Other Emerging Orbiviruses, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Viruses".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 159

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
CARE-FEPEX Experimental Station, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH) Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, 4000 Liege, Belgium
Interests: veterinary epidemiology; virology; host-pathogen interactions; veterinary public health; smart farming

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The recent emergence of Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) in Europe and the expanding distribution of Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease virus (EHDV) highlight the ongoing challenges posed by emerging orbiviruses worldwide. These vector-borne pathogens continue to threaten livestock and wildlife, with potentially severe economic and ecological consequences. This special issue aims to gather cutting-edge research focused on various aspects of orbivirus biology, including molecular characterization, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic advancements, vaccination strategies, and disease control. Studies addressing novel orbiviruses, their ecological and evolutionary dynamics, as well as innovative approaches to surveillance and outbreak response, are particularly welcome. By providing an updated and comprehensive overview of orbivirus research, this issue seeks to contribute to the development of effective control and prevention measures.

Dr. Ludovic Martinelle
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • bluetongue
  • epizootic haemorrhagic disease
  • orbiviruses
  • African horse sickness
  • vector-borne diseases

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

10 pages, 677 KB  
Article
Semen Quality in Rams is Severely but Temporarily Affected by Bluetongue Virus Serotype 3 Infection
by Ludovic Martinelle, Sophie Egyptien, Lola Dechene, Marielle Somville, Frédéric Derkenne and Stéfan Deleuze
Viruses 2025, 17(10), 1371; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17101371 (registering DOI) - 13 Oct 2025
Abstract
Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) emerged in northwestern Europe in 2023–2024, raising concerns about its potential reproductive impact on rams, similar to previous outbreaks with BTV-8. This study assessed the effect of natural BTV-3 infection on the semen quality of 49 rams in [...] Read more.
Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) emerged in northwestern Europe in 2023–2024, raising concerns about its potential reproductive impact on rams, similar to previous outbreaks with BTV-8. This study assessed the effect of natural BTV-3 infection on the semen quality of 49 rams in Belgium using two cross-sectional sampling sessions during the 2024 outbreak. Semen and blood were tested for BTV RNA via RT-qPCR, and a composite semen quality score (SQS) was established based on key sperm parameters. On the first sampling date, 75% of rams were viremic, and 19% presented azoospermia. Rams with BTV RNA detectable in both semen and blood had significantly lower SQS and sperm concentrations than those with viral RNA in blood only or none at all. By the second sampling, 53 days later, semen quality had improved markedly, indicating a transient effect of infection. These findings confirm that BTV-3 can severely but temporarily impair ram fertility, particularly when viral replication occurs in the reproductive tract. Given the seasonal overlap between vector activity and breeding programs, these results underscore the importance of integrating reproductive health monitoring into outbreak response strategies. Full article
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