Blue tongue still rapidly spreading among Dutch sheep, but slowing down

The number of infections with the bluetongue virus has risen again, but the increase is becoming slower. The virus has been detected in 1722 locations in the country, reports the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).

Previously, the number of cases doubled per week, and sometimes the increase was even faster. The NVWA reported 94 cases On Monday, 15 July; a week later, it was 503, and last Monday, the counter was at 1094 cases.

Most infections are still in the Achterhoek. For example, 60 cases have been detected in the municipality of Berkelland, and the same number has been detected in Oude IJsselstreek. This is followed by the municipalities of Bronckhorst (46) and Aalten (44). Overijssel is the only province where every municipality has detected the virus. The east of North Brabant and the north of Limburg also have many infections.

Bluetongue has now also been detected in Flevoland, which was the only province without infections until last week. The virus has hardly been detected in North Holland, South Holland, and Zeeland.

Bluetongue is a disease that mainly affects sheep, goats, cattle, and deer. Other animals can also become infected, such as camels, llamas, giraffes, and okapis, but it is unknown whether this has happened. The virus causes, among other things, a blue tongue, high fever, and swelling in cattle. They can die as a result. Infected midges, the tiny biting flies spread bluetongue. The virus is not contagious to humans.

Many animals were vaccinated against bluetongue in the spring. According to an initial analysis by the Royal GD Health Service, the infections are now somewhat milder than last year.

The Dutch Sheep and Goat Breeders' Organisation (NSFO) surveyed its members at the end of July. The number of infected animals on affected farms has increased in recent weeks, with some livestock farmers having almost all their animals sick. Approximately one in ten sick animals die. This means that mortality is considerably lower than during the outbreak at the end of last year. At that time, almost all infected animals on an affected farm usually died.