After in the Netherlands, also in Belgium and Germany bluetongue disease has been reported in North Rhine Westphalia. In Aachen, were the `Weltreiterspiele 2006` currently take place, 15 bovine cases have been reported.
Two outbreaks of bluetongue have been reported in North Rhine Wesphalia: in ovine in Kreis Aachen (2 cases) and in bovine in Stadt Aachen (15 cases).
Description of affected population: Kreis Aachen
One holding with 17 breeding sheep aged over one year.
Stadt Aachen One holding with 199 breeding cattle.
One holding with 64 breeding cattle.
One holding with 106 breeding cattle.
One holding with 264 breeding cattle.
One holding with 68 breeding cattle.
Laboratory where diagnostic tests were performed: Friedrich-Loeffler Institute, Insel Riems (OIE Reference Laboratory) using cELISA.
Source of outbreaks or origin of infection: unknown or inconclusive.
Control measures undertaken:
- movement control inside the country
- screening
- zoning
The myostatin gene and its relevance to livestock animals
Myostatin, also known as growth differentiation factor 8, a member of the transforming growth factorâ€beta superâ€family, is a negative regulator of muscle development. Myostatin acts at key points during pre†and postâ€natal life of amniotes that ultimately determine the overall muscle mass of an animal. A fascinating summary about the current an overview of mechanisms of action and its potential relevance in livestock animals.
