Definition of "bluetongue" [bluetongue]

• A viral disease of sheep and cattle that is transmitted by biting insects and is characterized by fever, the formation of oral lesions, and swelling and cyanosis of the lips and tongue. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The NFU advised farmers to support their JAB campaign, which aims to get all cattle and sheep vaccinated against the bluetongue, which is caused by a virus spread by certain types of biting midges."
• "The board will be responsible for dealing with exotic disease outbreaks such as bluetongue, policy on endemic diseases such as bovine TB, advising on the payment rates for animals culled as part of disease control and controlling animal diseases which pose a threat to public health."
• "Proposed for introduction in 2012, farmers will be forced to pay an annual fee to help pay for surveillance and preparation for the outbreak of diseases, such as bluetongue, classical swine fever and foot-and-mouth."