- Bluetongue: first case confirmed in Bavaria
For the first time, the animal disease Bluetongue has been detected in Bavaria. Previously, Bavaria was the last federal state considered free of the disease, as announced by the Bavarian Ministry of the Environment in Munich in the evening. The outbreak of Bluetongue has now been officially confirmed in sheep from a farm in Aschaffenburg, according to the ministry.
The disease has spread from the Netherlands to Germany in recent months, affecting only ruminants such as sheep, cattle, and goats. The detection was made by the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute. To date, over 2,900 cases have been officially confirmed in Germany during the current outbreak, according to the Bavarian ministry.
The authority recommends that owners have their animals vaccinated against the disease. They should also closely monitor their animals and report any suspected cases.
The European Union, being a substantial trading partner for Germany, has issued guidelines for controlling the spread of Bluetongue. Despite the disease being detected in several European countries, including the Netherlands, the European Union continues to implement strict border controls to prevent its entry.
