- Farmers' Association calls for vaccination against bluetongue
Blue Tongue Disease has been reported in Brandenburg, prompting the state's farmers' association to urge farmers to vaccinate their livestock. Blood-sucking biting midges, known as gnats, primarily infect sheep and cattle.
"We hope it doesn't spread further, but realistically, we expect more cases to occur," said a spokesperson for the Brandenburg farmers' association. It would be good if as many animals as possible could be vaccinated. Additionally, animals in barns can be protected from the midges with nets.
An outbreak of Blue Tongue Virus serotype 3 was confirmed for the first time in a cattle herd in the Potsdam-Mittelmark district on Monday. Two calves were affected. Humans cannot be infected. Meat and milk from affected animals can be consumed without concern.
Blood-sucking insects are active as virus transmitters mainly from May to October. Compared to cattle, the symptoms in sheep are much more severe. The disease often ends in death, as reported by the Ministry of Health and Consumer Protection. They also strongly recommend vaccination.
Affected sheep may suffer from loss of appetite, apathy, and fever. Sometimes, a blue discoloration of the tongue is also visible. In dairy cattle, the main symptom is a decrease in milk production, according to the ministry.
Germany was officially free of the disease until autumn 2023. In July, it was reported that cases in cattle and sheep herds were increasing rapidly in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony.
The brand new recommendation from the Ministry of Health and Consumer Protection aligns with that of the National Association of Farmers, both urging vigilance and widespread vaccination of livestock. If resources allow, implementing protective measures like netting in barns can further shield animals from gnats.
