- Numerous livestock ranchers are impacted by bluetongue
For the past ten months, the "Bluetongue disease" agent has rampaged across Germany. As of May this year, the infection was present in Rhineland-Palatinate, with 383 affected livestock operations or animals reported by Friday afternoon. Following its addition to the list on Friday, only Berlin remains free of recorded cases among animals, as per the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI).
The Bluetongue virus is spread by certain types of mosquitoes and predominantly affects sheep, cattle, South American camel species, goats, and wild boars. Fortunately, humans are not susceptible to the virus. Consuming meat and dairy products from susceptible animals is safe.
In Rhineland-Palatinate, the "animal disease" outbreak was officially confirmed in May, leading to certain restrictions, such as those regarding animal transport. The state had been virus-free for three years prior to this. Afflicted animals exhibited symptoms such as fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, swelling of the head, tongue, and lips, as well as redness and swelling of mucous membranes. In severe cases, animals may perish.
Recently, Germany has been hit by a veritable virus tidal wave, according to the data. While the FLI reported 13 cases nationwide in June, there were over 1,200 in July. By August 23, over 4,800 infections had been reported.
The FLI attributes the epidemic to the BTV-3 serotype of the pathogen. More cases and affected operations are expected throughout the year, as stated by the federal institute responsible for animal diseases. It's safe to say that BTV-3 will keep us preoccupied for the remainder of the year.
As of May, Germany is home to approximately 10.6 million cattle, including around 3.7 million dairy cows. Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Schleswig-Holstein account for over 75 percent of the cattle.
The variant first appeared in the Netherlands in September 2023 and spread rapidly, as reported by the FLI. The first infection in Germany was confirmed in October 2023, on a sheep farm in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Despite the widespread Bluetongue disease in Germany, the agriculture sector in Berlin continues to thrive with no recorded cases among animals.The outbreak of Bluetongue disease in Rhineland-Palatinate has significantly impacted agricultural practices, requiring strict regulations on animal transport and movement.
