Post Reply - BlueTongue restarted in NL

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Today, 5:00 PM
Bluetongue is making a comeback, Wiersma wants more research

The bluetongue virus, which can be fatal to cows, goats and sheep, is making a comeback. This is evident from a letter from Agriculture Minister Wiersma to the House of Representatives. The first infection since the winter was detected on June 14, and there are now 67 suspected cases. One sheep has died, Wiersma writes. The affected companies are mainly located in the Betuwe, North Limburg and the Achterhoek. Most animals had now been vaccinated.

There are great concerns in the agricultural sector and among experts about the return of the virus.

This reappeared in the Netherlands last winter after about fifteen years of absence and led to the death of tens of thousands of sheep, cows and goats. Adult sheep were particularly affected.

The virus is transmitted by midges, small mosquitoes. It causes ruminants such as cows, sheep and goats to become ill, including fever, stiff legs, a swollen tongue and inflammation of the hooves. There is no treatment yet for the latest variant of bluetongue.

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Vaccination did start this spring. Wiersma writes that it seems as if there is a greater spread in the severity of the symptoms, with some of the animals becoming seriously ill and others having milder symptoms. "As is often the case with other vaccines, the vaccines cannot prevent animals from becoming infected and becoming ill," Wiersma said.

To get a better picture of the situation, she wants to have further research done. She expects the number of infections to rise in the coming months. Based on the experiences of 2007 and 2008, it is expected that the "peak of the number of infections will occur in August and September". Wiersma is closely monitoring the situation, she writes.

She also points out that there is a reporting obligation for bluetongue and that new suspicions must be reported to the NVWA.