Normally, cows in Northern Europe, in places like Denmark, live a normal life just grazing on grass and existing. However, recent changes have occurred which have disrupted this normal activity. Generally, the bluetongue virus (spread by Culicoides imicola, a biting midge) is confined to southern Europe and other regions around the Mediterranean. But as temperatures increased throughout the region, the midge was able to migrate north. This new pest is a nuisance and causes many difficulties for farmers in the region. When a cow contracts this disease, it usually also suffers from mouth ulcers, salivation, stiffness, fever and eventually inevitable death (Merck Veterinary Manual NP). Due to rising temperatures, midges have spread across the world, infecting livestock and creating terrible problems for many farmers. The biting midge (Culicoides imicola), responsible for the transmission of this disease, is generally confined to Mediterranean Europe; where the conditions are exactly those required by the midge to survive (Society for General Microbiology NP). However, with an increase in average temperature of six degrees, the midge was able to move north, threatening livestock throughout the region and even as far away as England (Society for General Microbiology NP). The spread of the midges' territory has led to an increase in their population, as well as the number of infected cattle. From a financial and commercial point of view, the effects were catastrophic. In some areas, milk production has fallen by an average of two liters per day and calving index (efficiency with which new calves are produced) has fallen by an average of twenty days (PN Davies). The middle of the document moves forward, and unless something drastic happens, there are many more agonizing costs to pay. Works Cited “Bluetongue: Introduction”. The Merck Veterinary Manual. 2008. Mérial. Online. January 25, 2010. “Bluetongue virus.” December 10, 2009. Archived from the original on January 25, 2010. Davies, Jack. BTV vaccination plan ready for summer. February 13, 2009. January 25, 2010. .Hoar, David, et. al. Likelihood of introduction of exotic strains of bluetongue virus into the United States and California through importation of infected cattle. Davis: Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, 2004. Mertens, Peter. Climate change fears deadly viral outbreaks in livestock. March 31, 2009. January 25 2010. .