Falls of deadly bluebloatingdisease are increasing 'explosively'
Animals affected by Bluetongue disease exhibit various symptoms: They become limp, have fever, and refuse to eat or drink. The infection can be fatal. Germany was long considered free from the disease - but that's no longer the case; there are currently hundreds of outbreaks.
In North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, cases of Bluetongue disease in cattle and sheep herds are increasing rapidly. The NRW State Office for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection (LANUV) spoke of an "explosive spread" in North Rhine-Westphalia with over 500 outbreaks this year. The virus infection in cattle is transmitted by bloodsucking midges - and the recent wet and warm weather is ideal for these insects, a spokesperson said.
Lower Saxony also reports a rapid spread. This year, 90 infections have been confirmed, half of which occurred within the last four weeks, writes the Ministry of Agriculture in Hanover. According to the statements of the nationally responsible Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), there are also isolated outbreaks in Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse.
Disease can be fatal for animals
The affected animals, especially sheep, show symptoms such as paralysis, fever, restlessness with reduced food and water intake, nasal discharge, increased salivation, and swelling and crust formation, particularly in the head area. The infection can lead to the death of the animals.
For humans, the pathogen is not dangerous. The name comes from the fact that the tongues of infected sheep can sometimes turn blue. Experts recommend vaccinations against the Virus of Serotype 3 (BTV-3).
New outbreak in autumn 2023
According to the FLI, the disease had previously occurred in Germany but was no longer detected. Germany was therefore officially free from the disease until autumn 2023. After an outbreak in the Netherlands with over 1000 cases, which started in September 2023, the district of Kleve in North Rhine-Westphalia reported a case of infection in a sheep in October, writes LANUV.
According to LANUV, there have been 504 BTV3 outbreaks in North Rhine-Westphalia in the year 2024. Some suspected cases are still under investigation. Of the outbreaks, 227 affected cattle herds, 267 affected sheep herds - and 10 goat herds were also affected.
Viren, the virus responsible for Bluetongue disease, is transmitted to cattle through bloodsucking midges. Animals, particularly sheep, showing symptoms of the infectious disease may experience limpness, fever, refusal to eat or drink, and paralysis. The Ministry of Agriculture in Lower Saxony has reported a rapid spread of the disease, with 90 confirmed infections this year, half of which occurred in the last four weeks.
