Relief in Switzerland: The two cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) have not been confirmed. But cattle disease is spreading rapidly in France
Mon, October 30, 2023, 9:30 a.m
Reading time: 2 minutes
The two alleged cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in Switzerland have not been confirmed. This means that Switzerland is once again considered free of this new cattle disease. The Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (BLV) points this out.
After the suspected cases appeared, the BLV issued a regulation to prevent the possible spread. Among other things, there were restrictions on the international trade in farm animals. However, the cases then turned out to be false positives. This was also confirmed by the reference laboratory of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) in France. The ordered measures and the regulation have been repealed.
What is Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD)?
EHD is a disease of ruminants. The disease is manifested by sudden severe fever, bleeding in various parts of the body and lethargy in the animals. Bloody diarrhea may also occur. Of the livestock, cattle are most affected, with clinical symptoms indistinguishable from those of bluetongue. Sheep and goats can also be infected but rarely show noticeable symptoms.
Vigilance continues to be asked
Even if there was no EHD outbreak in Switzerland, the FSVO calls for high vigilance. The disease has been spreading in Europe since 2022. Outbreaks have so far occurred in Spain, Portugal, Italy and France.
France: EHD on the rise
EHD is currently spreading unchecked in France. In mid-October there were already 1,194 outbreaks in cattle farms. Eight departments in the southwest of the country were affected. The first evidence was at the border. Since then, the animal disease has spread to the northwest. According to the platform, no new cases have been reported from Portugal and Spain. According to official information, 206 outbreaks were recently known in Spain, including wild animals.
2023-10-30 21:58:35
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