Tuesday, August 13, 2024
The Rems-Murr district office in Baden-Württemberg reported the outbreak of bluetongue disease on August 8, 2024. Baden-Württemberg thus lost its status of being “free of bluetongue disease”. The virus serotype 3 (BTV 3) was detected in sheep. Bavaria still has the status “free” as of August 12, 2024.
Trade restrictions:
Transport from restricted areas, especially from Baden-Württemberg to Bavaria, is not possible or is only permitted after a negative PCR result (laboratory test) and repellent treatment. The following federal states currently do not have a “bluetongue-free” status: BW, NI, NRW, RP, TH, HE, ST, BW, MV, SN, SH, BER, HH and Bremen.
In order to protect livestock from serious disease progression, the Ostallgäu Veterinary Office strongly recommends vaccinating ruminants. Vaccines that were previously used for serotypes 4 and 8 are not effective against the new variant of serotype 3. Vaccination with a vaccine that is currently only approved for use does not result in any trade facilitation.
The vaccination must be carried out by a veterinarian. In addition, an entry is made in the HI-Tier database. The Bavarian Animal Disease Fund grants a subsidy of € 1.00 per vaccination for cattle and sheep upon application. Details on the vaccines can be found in the general decree of the Ostallgäu District Office published on June 19, 2024 and on the homepage of the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (
The bluetongue situation is highly dynamic. Changes to Bavaria’s status as “free of bluetongue” can occur at very short notice.
The Ostallgäu Veterinary Office is available to answer questions about bluetongue vaccination at 08342/911-213.
General information about bluetongue disease:
Bluetongue is a notifiable animal disease with a high tendency to spread. Since October 2023, infections with the new variant of the bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) have occurred primarily in northwest Germany. Since July 2024, the number of cases of infection has increased significantly.
Bluetongue is caused by a virus that is transmitted by infected mosquitoes (midges). All ruminant species are susceptible, including sheep, cattle, goats and camelids. The virus is not transmitted from animal to animal. It is harmless to humans. Meat and milk, as well as products made from them, can be consumed without concern. Insect protection and, above all, vaccination are the most effective measures for combating the animal disease.
The clinical picture of bluetongue disease is accompanied by painful inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes on the head, genitals, teats and the coronary band of the hooves. An actual blue discoloration of the tongue is only occasionally seen in sheep. This species of animal is also most likely to suffer from severe disease and death. In cattle, a significant drop in performance is observed.
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