New bluetongue virus serotype, BTV-12, identified in the Netherlands

A new variant of the bluetongue virus has been identified in a sheep in Kockengen. It was identified as bluetongue serotype BTV-12, according to research by Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR, part of Wageningen University & Research). The European Bluetongue Reference Laboratory in Madrid confirmed that the animal in question was infected with BTV-12.