- Initial identification of Bluetongue virus in Saxony.
In Saxony, there's been a potential detection of the recent strain of the bluetongue disease. A livestock farm in the Upper Vogtland region has been affected, as reported by the district administration. "The definitive confirmation by the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute is still outstanding." The local veterinarians and the veterinary offices of nearby districts have been made aware.
As per the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, there's been an upsurge in cases of bluetongue disease serotype 3 in Germany since the beginning of July. The primary cause is the weather-induced high activity of small midges (gnats) that carry the virus. Fortunately, humans remain unaffected by the pathogen.
The disease has also surfaced in Saxony-Anhalt. Due to its geographical proximity, Saxony was no longer considered immune to bluetongue disease, despite having no reported cases yet, according to the Health Ministry. The ministry stated that the disease primarily impacts cattle and sheep, causing them significant distress. Health Minister Petra Köpping (SPD) had advised livestock farmers at the start of the month to closely monitor their herds and alert the veterinary office if there's any suspicion. Affected animals might exhibit loss of appetite, decreased milk production, and fever. The disease can be fatal for them.
According to the Plauen district administration, the current potential case involves a larger cattle herd. Although the virus isn't transmitted directly from animal to animal, suspected animals have been isolated. Now, the laboratory results are being awaited.
Information from the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute on bluetongue disease
The Health Ministry in Saxony-Anhalt also mentioned that bluetongue disease can cause considerable distress to cattle and sheep. With the potential case in Plauen, Saxony is now facing the possibility of an outbreak of the disease.
