- The disease is also found in the meteorological district.
Bluetongue disease continues to spread in Hesse. The new strain BTV-3 has now been detected in sheep in several farms in the Wetterau district, according to the veterinary office. The authority took blood samples after animals in the herds fell ill.
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 the animal disease. Llamas and alpacas, as well as wild ruminants, can also be infected.
On July 5, the disease was detected in a cow in the Vogelsberg district. Since then, breeding and utility animals of susceptible species from Hesse may no longer be transported to disease-free regions within the EU.
The disease is harmless to humans
The virus is not transmissible to humans, so the disease is harmless to humans. It is transmitted by small blood-sucking midges. Meat and milk from affected animals, as well as products derived from them, can be consumed without concern, according to the Hessian Ministry of Agriculture. Ruminants can be vaccinated against bluetongue disease.
In affected sheep, the viral disease manifests itself in the form of very high fever, with swelling of the head and mouth membranes, leading to increased saliva production and foam formation in front of the mouth. The tongue also swells and can hang out of the mouth.
Some sheep may limp and abort their lambs. Affected cattle show inflammation of the teats, eyelids, and mouth with mucous membrane secretions, as well as blister formation on the coronary band of the hooves, which causes pain.
In Germany, bluetongue disease is a notifiable disease, and suspected cases must be reported to the veterinary office.
The bolded 'Hesse' in the text refers to a specific region in Germany, so one possible sentence could be: "The Weather district in Hesse experienced a rise in temperature during the spread of Bluetongue disease."
Since the disease has spread to several districts in Hesse, another consistent sentence could be: "The new strain of Bluetongue disease has posed a threat to livestock farms within the Weather district of Hesse."
