Characterization of a recombinant Akabane mutant virus with knockout of a nonstructural protein NSs in a pregnant goat model

Dear Editor,Akabane virus(AKAV),an orthobunyavirus,is transmitted primarily by biting midges and is widely distributed throughout the world except the Europe.AKAV was first isolated from mosquitoes in Japan(Oya et al.,1961).Although pregnant cows,ewes,and goats infected with AKAV exhibit no clinical signs of disease,in utero infections result in abortion,premature birth,stillbirth,and