Serologic investigation for bluetongue virus type 4, 9 and 16 in Anatolian water buffaloes

Bluetongue has emerged as a threat for ruminant species especially in European countries; three serotypes of Bluetongue virus have been described in Turkey. In this study, a total of 380 sera were obtained from healthy adult buffaloes in 8 different provinces in Central and Northern Anatolia. Sera were tested using a Virus Neutralisation test for types 4, 9 and 16. Seropositivity rates of 16.5% (63/380), 7.1% (27/380), and 8.4% (32/380) were detected for types 4, 9, and 16, respectively. No positives were found in Northest province (41o17’). This is the first report of Bluetongue virus in buffaloes in Turkey.