The first bluetongue virus infection in the province has been detected in a sheep from the Stad & Natuur herd that grazes the Vroege Vogelbos in Almere. The sheep did not survive the infection. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has officially found that the bluetongue virus was the culprit. This disease does not require animals to be culled, as is the case with foot-and-mouth disease, for example, but animals can become seriously ill and die.
For the first time since 2009, there is an outbreak of the bluetongue virus in the Netherlands, especially in North Holland and Utrecht. The infections are caused by the bite of mosquitoes that are infected with the virus. A total of 49 reports of animals with bluetongue have been made in the Netherlands.
The sheep from the Stad & Natuur flock is the first infection in Flevoland since the outbreak about two weeks ago. “Animal caretakers walk through the herd every day and noticed that the animal had symptoms, such as weak legs and drooling,” says employee Margrietha Rengers. “The sheep was treated by a veterinarian, but unfortunately died.” According to the NVWA, the disease is normally not fatal, but it can occur due to additional factors such as poor diet.
The bluetongue virus mainly occurs in sheep and cattle, but also in other ruminants such as goats and deer. This can cause infected animals to develop fever, lethargy and inflammation in the mouth and legs. Animals with bluetongue must be reported to the NVWA, but there is no obligation to combat them. The virus is not transmissible and not contagious to humans. The NVWA is investigating whether the available vaccination is suitable for the variant that has now been identified.
2023-09-16 11:10:34
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