abortions, stillbirths and deformities in sheep at the al-ahsa oasis in eastern saudi arabia: isolation of a bluetongue serogroup virus from the affected lambs. | a wave of abortions, stillbirths and deformities in sheep occurred at the al-ahsa oasis in the eastern region of saudi arabia in the second half of 1999. the abortions were recorded in august and september and stillbirths and deformities in neonates were observed in october. adult sheep were clinically normal. a virus was isolated in chicken embryos, adapted to vero cell culture and further identified as bluetongue (bt) virus. the virus isolated was not neutralised by the akabane virus. referenc ... | 2004 | 15861886 |