The value of camels as sentinels for bluetongue virus in Morocco

Abstract

A  serosurvey  was  conducted  to  determine  the  value  of  camels  (Camelus  dromedaries)  as sentinel animals for the detection of bluetongue virus (BTV) in Morocco. Between 2010 and 2013, camels from various localities in Morocco were randomly tested for antibodies against BTV  serotypes‑1,  ‑4,  ‑6,  ‑8,  ‑11,  ‑14,  and  ‑16.  Antibodies  against  1  or  more  serotypes  were detected in 41.8% of 537 camels tested with a competitive enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay  (ELISA)  diagnostic  test.  Of  the  7  tested  serotypes,  only  BTV‑11  antibodies  were  not detected with serum neutralisation assays. This study not only confirms the epidemiological presence of BTV‑1, ‑4, and ‑8 in Morocco, but also presents the first evidence of BTV‑6, ‑14, and ‑16 in the country. As such, we conclude that camels would be ideal sentinel animals to determine the potential risk of BTV in Morocco