Louping ill virus is a viral pathogen belonging to the family Flaviviridae and genus Flavivirus, which primarily affects animals, especially sheep and grouse. It derives its name from the Scots dialect term "louping ill," meaning "leaping sickness," as it causes a distinctive leaping or jumping behavior in affected animals.
This virus is transmitted through the bite of infected ticks, primarily the sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus) and the grouse tick (Ixodes uriae), which act as vectors for the virus. The primary reservoir hosts for the Louping ill virus are wild and domesticated sheep, along with red grouse.
In animals, especially sheep, the virus can cause a range of clinical manifestations, including fever, neurological disturbances, listlessness, muscle tremors, and in severe cases, even death. In red grouse, it primarily causes encephalitis and may lead to significant mortality rates.
Louping ill virus is endemic in certain regions of the United Kingdom, including Scotland and Northern England, where grazing areas and suitable hosts are abundant. It can also sporadically affect other regions globally. Control methods primarily involve tick control measures, such as treating animals with acaricides and reducing tick habitats. Vaccines are available for use in sheep to prevent the infection, especially in areas with high disease prevalence. Surveillance and prompt reporting of suspected cases are essential for early detection and control of Louping ill virus.
