Another case of bluetongue disease in Saxony

Bluetongue disease (BTV3 virus) has been detected in a sheep in the Freiberg region. According to the Central Saxony District Office, the animal died. The detection does not have any direct consequences, as there is no restriction zone. However, it must be ensured that the disease is not spread from the herd. According to the scientific community, the infection period for bluetongue is 60 days - that is how long the affected farm is considered infected.

The most recent outbreaks of the current variant of bluetongue were in cattle in the Leipzig and Vogtland districts. The disease is notifiable. According to the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, there has been an increase in cases of bluetongue serotype 3 in Germany since the beginning of July, mainly due to the weather-related high activity of small mosquitoes (midges) that transmit the virus. There is no danger to humans. The disease mainly affects cattle, sheep and goats. The symptoms include fever, reddening of the mucous membranes and foaming at the mouth.