- Bluetongue disease is expanding in Saxony-Anhalt
The harmful Bluetongue illness** for animals is spreading in Saxony-Anhalt. There are now occurrences in 33 operations or animal farms in the state, as the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute informed dpa. Around the beginning of August, the BTV-3 variant was discovered in a cattle farm near Wernigerode, as well as in two sheep herds and also in cattle in the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel. The disease has also been confirmed in the Mansfeld-Südharz district. The virus is harmless for humans.
The initial outbreak of Bluetongue illness with the serotype 3 (BTV-3) in Germany was reported by the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute in October 2023. Since July 2024, the number of confirmed cases has been increasing rapidly. In North Rhine-Westphalia, authorities are talking about an explosive spread.
The number of cases has also been rising dramatically in Lower Saxony. According to the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, 1,423 animal farms have been affected there so far. In the neighboring states of Saxony-Anhalt, the numbers are significantly lower: four in Brandenburg, eleven in Thuringia, and one in Saxony. Nationwide, the disease has been confirmed in more than 4,800 animal farms or operations.
Experts suggest vaccinations
Bluetongue illness predominantly affects sheep and cattle. However, other ruminants can also fall ill. The virus is not transmitted directly from animal to animal, but via small, blood-sucking midges. Experts, therefore, advise farmers to protect sheep and cattle from bites with insect repellents. In affected regions and adjacent areas, experts recommend vaccinating the animals against the virus.
According to the State Administration Office, vaccination against Bluetongue illness has been possible in Saxony-Anhalt since mid-June. The state is assisting in the vaccination of cattle and sheep together with the Animal Disease Fund. The costs for vaccination will be reimbursed, up to a maximum of 4.00 euros per cattle per year and 8.35 euros per sheep per year. "For the development of an effective immune protection in cattle, the administration of two vaccine doses at an interval of about three weeks is necessary," it was stated. For sheep, one vaccination is currently considered sufficient. Effective immune protection is achieved after three weeks. Around 275,000 cattle and 89,000 sheep are kept in the state, according to the State Administration Office.
Disease has been managed before
Bluetongue illness is so named because the tongues of affected sheep sometimes turn blue. The course of the disease is variable. Above all, sheep exhibit symptoms such as lameness, fever, and disturbed general condition. The infection can be fatal. Cattle usually show fewer severe symptoms.
Bluetongue illness, albeit a different serotype than the current one, was first detected in Germany in 2006 and subsequently controlled through extensive vaccination campaigns.
The rising cases of Bluetongue illness in multiple German states highlight the importance of implementing measures to protect cattle and sheep. Accordingly, vaccinations against the virus have been available in Saxony-Anhalt since mid-June, with the state supporting the vaccination of both cattle and sheep in conjunction with the Animal Disease Fund.
