Bluetongue has been diagnosed in three cattle from a southwestern Ontario farm.
It's the first time the virus has been found in Canada outside the Okanagan Valley in B-C.
That's going to have an impact on the exportation of live animals, semen and embryos.
Countries free of the disease restrict importation of lives animals or animal products.
It does not impact the exportation of meat or meat products.
And the trade of live cattle to the U-S will not be impacted since this particular strain of Bluetongue is one of a number which are endemic in the 'States.
Bluetongue is an animal health disease with no risk to human health.
Signs of it are mild or not apparent in the vast majority of species, including cattle and goats.
However, it can cause serious illness and death in sheep and wild ruminants.
