– Many farmers are affected by bluetongue
For ten months, the agent of “blue tongue disease” has been raging in Germany. Until May of this year, the infection was present in Rhineland-Palatinate, with 383 affected farms or animals reported as of Friday afternoon. After its addition to the list on Friday, only Berlin remains free of recorded cases in animals, according to the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI).
Bluetongue virus is transmitted by certain types of mosquitoes and mainly affects sheep, cattle, South American camelid species, goats and wild boars. Fortunately, humans are not susceptible to the virus. Consumption of meat and dairy products from susceptible animals is safe.
In Rhineland-Palatinate, the “epidemic” was officially confirmed in May, leading to some restrictions, such as those regarding the transport of animals. The region had been virus-free for three years before. Affected animals showed symptoms such as fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, swelling of the head, tongue and lips, as well as redness and swelling of the mucous membranes. In severe cases, animals can die.
Recently, Germany has been hit by a real virus wave, according to the data. While the FLI reported 13 cases nationwide in June, there were more than 1,200 in July. By August 23, more than 4,800 infections had been reported.
The FLI attributes the outbreak to the BTV-3 serotype of the pathogen. Further cases and affected farms are expected throughout the year, according to the federal institute responsible for animal diseases. It is safe to say that BTV-3 will be a concern for us for the rest of the year.
As of May, Germany has around 10.6 million cattle, including around 3.7 million dairy cows. Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein account for more than 75 percent of the cattle.
The variant first appeared in the Netherlands in September 2023 and spread rapidly, according to the FLI. The first infection in Germany was confirmed in October 2023, on a sheep farm in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Despite the spread of bluetongue disease in Germany, the agricultural sector in Berlin continues to thrive with no recorded cases in animals.The outbreak of bluetongue disease in Rhineland-Palatinate has had a significant impact on agricultural practices, requiring strict regulations on animal transport and movement.
