Post Reply - BlueTongue restarted in NL

**BTV**

   https://www.gld.nl/nieuws/8179235/blauwtong-groeit-gigantisch-in-gelderland or https://www.gld.nl/nieuws/8179235/blauwtong-groeit-gigantisch-in-gelderland ;
ARNHEM - The number of infections of the bluetongue virus is increasing rapidly among sheep. Published figures from the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) show that the number of infections has risen sharply since Monday. On Monday, Gelderland had 27 infections, a new count shows about 100 infections.
Last Monday, the total number of infections in the Netherlands was 94, today the counter stands at 318 infections, reports the NOS. Many infections have been reported, especially in the east and southeast of the Netherlands, near the German border.
Update map twice a week now
This is reflected in the map published by the NVWA on the number of infections per place of residence. Due to the rapid increase of the virus, the NVWA will now update the map twice a week, instead of once a week.
Vaccines
Since the end of April, three vaccines have become available to protect sheep from the virus, but despite the vaccinations, sheep have fallen ill and died. The virus is transmitted by infected midges (small mosquitoes) and mainly affects sheep. Symptoms include high fever, swelling, and a distinctive blue tongue.
Earlier this week, we spoke to several sheep farmers who are 'holding their breath' at the development of the virus, when there were still 94 infections. Whether the vaccines actually help fight the virus remains to be seen. Veterinarian Robbert van Drie from Wezep hopes that the vaccine will ultimately ensure that fewer animals die from the virus.

DJ, Very likely B.T.V will spread to (lots of) other animals. In 2023 cattle and 2 dogs were infected. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetongue_disease or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetongue_disease ; Bluetongue disease is a noncontagious, insect-borne, viral disease of ruminants, mainly sheep and less frequently cattle,^[1] yaks,^[2] goats, buffalo, deer, dromedaries, and antelope. It is caused by Bluetongue virus (BTV). The virus is transmitted by the midges Culicoides imicola, Culicoides variipennis, and other culicoids.

DJ, So far humans are not supposed to get any B.T.V. problems...