Bluetongue disease spreads in Saxony

The current variant of bluetongue has occurred in a cow in the district of Leipzig. This was announced by the district office in Borna. Two other cases of the animal disease had previously been detected in the Vogtland district of Saxony. Bluetongue is a notifiable disease.

According to the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, there has been an increase in cases of bluetongue serotype 3 in Germany since the beginning of July. The main cause is the weather-related high activity of the small midges (midges) that transmit the virus. The pathogen is reportedly harmless to humans.

The disease, which mainly affects cattle and sheep, but also goats and deer, can cause great suffering. According to the district administration, affected animals suffer from a loss of appetite, reduced milk production and fever. In severe cases, bluetongue can be fatal. Livestock farmers should definitely try to protect their herds from mosquitoes.