- Hess is still suffering from bluetongue
Bluetongue disease continues to spread in Hesse and has now reached Wiesbaden. As the Veterinary Office of the state capital reported, the virus was detected in a sheep in the western part of the city, near the border with the Rheingau-Taunus district. The disease was first discovered in Germany in October 2023 and has since been spreading westward. All ruminants such as cattle, sheep, and goats are susceptible to this animal disease.
On July 5, the disease was detected in a cow in the Schwalm-Eder district. Since then, breeding and farming animals of susceptible species from Hesse may no longer be transported to disease-free regions within the EU. On July 22, the virus was found in a dairy cow in the Schwalm-Eder district, and on August 2, several cases were reported in cattle from a farm in the Lahn-Dill district.
Virus not transmittable to humans
The virus is not transmitted from animal to animal, but rather through small blood-sucking midges. The pathogen is not transmittable to humans. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, meat and milk, as well as products derived from them, can be consumed without concern. Ruminants can be vaccinated against blue tongue disease.
The spread of Bluetongue disease in Germany has not affected other livestock species besides ruminants, such as cattle, sheep, and goats. Despite the virus being detected in various districts, there's no risk of human transmission.
