2024-08-17 19:41:39
Already more than 1,000 cases: The contagious bluetongue disease is repeatedly detected in sheep and cattle. An agricultural ministry is raising the alarm.
According to the Lower Saxony Ministry of Agriculture, bluetongue disease (BTV-3), which is dangerous for sheep, goats and cattle, is spreading “dramatically quickly”. On October 25, 2023, the first case in Lower Saxony was registered in the Ammerland district, and 1,005 cases have now been reported in the animal disease reporting system for Lower Saxony (as of August 16). The disease has now been detected throughout Germany. North Rhine-Westphalia is the most affected federal state with 2,005 farms since 2023 – ahead of Lower Saxony with 903 farms.
In extreme cases, the infection leads to the death of the sick animals. The virus is not dangerous for humans. According to the authorities, handling the animals or eating meat or milk or milk products is not a problem. Alpacas, llamas, deer and fallow deer can also become infected.
“In view of the high and dynamic infection rate, I appeal to all animal owners: have your animals vaccinated,” said Lower Saxony’s Agriculture Minister Miriam Staudte. The Green politician explained: “The vaccination provides good protection against disease and spares the animals unnecessary suffering. In addition, the comparatively low financial outlay for the vaccination is disproportionate to the economic losses that an outbreak would entail.”
Bluetongue disease is transmitted by a certain type of blood-sucking mosquito, known as a biting midge. Due to the warm, humid weather of the past few weeks, these insects are particularly active. “This disease will be rampant as long as it stays warm,” fears Wendelin Schmücker, chairman of the German Sheep Farming Association.
The shepherd from Winsen an der Luhe criticizes the fact that the animal disease fund only provides a subsidy of three euros per vaccination. If a veterinarian charges eleven euros for the vaccination, that would be 11,000 euros in one go for 1,000 sheep. In addition, the animal disease fund will increase the contributions for the owners in the future.
Schmücker fears that bluetongue could force farms to close. The disease is affecting livestock farmers who are already suffering losses due to the spread of wolves. It is also very stressful to see your own animals suffer.
Symptoms in cattle include inflammation and detachment of the mucous membranes. In sheep, fever, apathy and isolation from the herd are added. Swelling of the mucous membranes in the mouth and foaming in front of the mouth occur. The tongue and throat may swell and the tongue may hang out of the mouth.
According to a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Agriculture, the northwest of Lower Saxony is particularly affected. The current outbreak originated in the Netherlands.
For years, no cases were reported in Lower Saxony. There was an outbreak from 2006 to 2009. In 2007, 1,240 farms nationwide were affected at the peak in October, now there are already 675 farms in Lower Saxony in the first half of August alone. Nationwide, 3,279 farms have already reported cases of bluetongue since autumn 2023.