Sheep-Killing Bluetongue Disease Hits the Czech Republic
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Loading... - Albert Stewart
- 14 Oct 2024
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The Czech Republic has reported 17 new cases of the deadly ovine disease Bluetongue, bringing the total number of cases in the recent outbreak to 45. Veterinary authorities have implemented preventative measures that have helped restrict the spread of the disease since its re-emergence in the country in September, after a 15-year absence.
The current outbreak is part of a larger epidemic that began in September 2023 in the Netherlands and has since spread to 13 countries across Europe, according to the British Agricultural Bureau (BAB). The disease has primarily affected northern Europe but has also reached as far as Portugal. Tens of thousands of animals have been impacted, with one veterinary virologist describing the situation as "a kind of tsunami that is coming." Economic losses from the epidemic are expected to reach hundreds of millions of euros, as reported by Science.
Bluetongue is an insect-borne disease that is fatal to sheep and also affects cattle and goats. It is non-transmissible to humans. The current epidemic is attributed to a new variant of the virus, against which existing vaccines appear to be ineffective.
In response to the outbreak, Czech veterinary authorities have established a protective zone covering 33,000 square kilometers in the northwest of the country, where all current cases have been detected. Compulsory screening within this zone has helped identify October's infections, demonstrating the effectiveness of the emergency measures in preventing the transfer of infected animals to healthy farms.
Petr Majer of the State Veterinary Administration emphasized the success of these measures in an interview with Blesk.cz, stating that they have been crucial in containing the outbreak. Despite the presence of nearly 6,900 animals on infected farms, the agriculture minister has indicated that a general cull will not be necessary.
The situation remains closely monitored as authorities continue to implement strategies to control the spread of Bluetongue and mitigate its impact on the livestock industry.
