New bluetongue variant continues to spread in the Netherlands

The new variant of the bluetongue virus has now also been found in other places in the Netherlands. Most infections have been in the province of Utrecht, but the virus has now also been found north of Amsterdam, in Flevoland, and in the Achterhoek region. Minister Femke Wiersma (Agriculture) wrote this in a letter to the Tweede Kamer.

In Europe, this variant is only found in the Netherlands. It is not known how this virus type arrived in the Netherlands. Wiersma wants this to be investigated further. This virus has similarities with the type circulating in Israel, but it is still too early to say with certainty that it also originates from there, according to the minister.

There is now a vaccine against the regular variant circulating in the Netherlands. There is not yet one for the new variant. It is not known whether this variant is also more pathogenic.

Overall, the bluetongue virus is harmless to humans. The disease is transmitted by midges, small flies that bite. For ruminants, such as sheep and cows, the disease can be fatal.