Preliminary Results of Field Studies in Algeria

Abstract

A survey has been performed to determine the prevalence and obtain information on the possible presence of new serotypes of bluetongue (BT) and enzootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) in Algeria. The field studies, based on the standardized guidelines designed during the previous meeting, have already been con­ducted. The preparation of the field study protocol was performed during the meeting in Barcelona with the partners involved in this study. The protocol was explained and included the defini­tion of the period of the study, the type of number of samples to be collected, the areas where the study was to place, the species concerned, the type of diagnostic techniques, the resources. Out of 1307 sera analysed in young animals (between 6 and 12 months of age) of different species, 364 (28%) were positive. Analysis of sam­ples taken in 20 wilayas showed only one positive among them. Cattle samples were also analysed against enzootic haemorrhagic disease and resulted in 60 positive out of the 818 (7.3%) tested animals. A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for BT and for African horse sickness antibody detection. EHD virus antibodies were detected with reagents provided by Pirbright laboratories, United Kingdom.