Bluetongue Disease Outbreak Spreads Across Western Europe, Luxembourg Reports Nearly500 Cases
Luxembourg, August 29, 2024 – The bluetongue disease outbreak continues to spread across Western Europe, with Luxembourg authorities reporting nearly 500 cases affecting almost 250 farms. The disease, caused by the bluetongue virus, is transmitted by biting insects like midges and primarily affects ruminants like sheep andcattle.
According to a bulletin released by the Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration on August 28th, the country saw an increase of 153 new cases between August 20th and 27th, with66 additional farms reporting infected animals.
Overall, from August 1st to 27th, Luxembourg recorded 492 cases of bluetongue disease. This includes 361 cattle, 125 sheep, and 6 goats infected with the virus, impacting 246 farms across the country.
To combat the outbreak, the Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration began organizing bluetongue vaccination campaigns on August 9th. As of August 27th, 240,000doses of the vaccine have been delivered across Luxembourg, with 70,000 doses distributed to veterinarians.
Bluetongue disease is characterized by symptoms such as fever, blue tongue, swollen jaw, mouth ulcers, bleeding, and even miscarriages in pregnant animals. While the virus is not known tobe transmissible to humans, it poses a significant threat to livestock populations.
The current outbreak began in the Netherlands in September 2023 and has since spread to Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, and Luxembourg. The Netherlands, considered the epicenter of the outbreak,has reported over 5,000 cases across all 12 provinces. Belgium, a neighboring country, has seen over 1,000 cases since the outbreak began in October 2023.
The rapid spread of the disease has raised concerns among farmers and authorities across Western Europe. Theeconomic impact of the outbreak is significant, as infected animals may require treatment, quarantine, or even culling, leading to financial losses for farmers.
The European Union has been working with member states to coordinate efforts to control the outbreak, including sharing information, implementing control measures, and promoting vaccination campaigns.
Thecurrent situation highlights the importance of ongoing surveillance and preparedness for emerging animal diseases. With the increasing globalization of trade and travel, the risk of transboundary animal diseases spreading is growing. Efforts to control and prevent such outbreaks are crucial to protect animal health, food security, and public health.
【source】http://www.chinanews.com/gj/2024/08-29/10276376.shtml
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