Bluetongue disease in cattle: Saxony takes measures

After the outbreak of bluetongue in cattle and sheep in Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony has also taken precautionary measures. According to EU regulations, Saxony is no longer considered "free" of BTV due to its proximity to the outbreak in the neighboring federal state, the Ministry of Social Affairs announced. This could lead to trade restrictions. Livestock owners of susceptible animal species should protect their animals against attacks by mosquitoes. Vaccination can also protect against a severe clinical course.

An infection with the bluetongue virus can cause great suffering to animals, explained Social Affairs Minister Petra Köpping. "Livestock owners of susceptible animal species in Saxony should therefore monitor their herds closely and attentively. The responsible veterinary office must be informed immediately in the event of suspicion," emphasized the SPD politician.

Report of variant of the disease from Saxony-Anhalt

Since the beginning of July, more and more federal states have been reporting an explosive spread of the disease. Among others, the animal disease has been detected in North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bremen and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Agriculture in Magdeburg announced that the BTV-3 variant had been detected in Saxony-Anhalt.

Bluetongue is a viral disease in ruminants such as sheep or cattle that is spread via small midges. Sick animals suffer from loss of appetite and fever, for example, and the disease can be fatal. The pathogen is harmless to humans.