Bluetongue virus crisis declared in Europe's cattle and sheep farms

The bluetongue virus is spreading among animals in Europe. It has already been reported in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, France, and the United Kingdom. On Thursday, Belgium's Ministry of Agriculture announced that it will declare a crisis in the cattle and sheep farming sectors.

Bluetongue is a non-contagious viral disease transmitted by insects. The virus attacks ruminants such as sheep and cows, not pigs or horses. It is not dangerous to humans.

Belgium's Minister of Agriculture, David Clarinval, announced on Thursday that cattle and sheep farming would be recognized as crisis sectors. In this country, more than 500 farms are affected by bluetongue. The crisis declaration is intended to facilitate support measures for farmers.

The first virus case was reported in September 2023 in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, on Monday, the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority reported that 2,909 farms are now infected. Citing Dutch media, AFP reported that this number is 650 higher than the previous week.

Meanwhile, in Germany, the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, which studies animal diseases, recorded 1,885 outbreaks on August 8. Only 23 farms in the country were infected throughout 2023. In November 2023, the first outbreak was noted in the United Kingdom.

France held off the virus for a long time. The World Organisation for Animal Health reported the first infection only at the beginning of August—an outbreak was noted in the town of Marpent near the Belgian border. The organization also reported earlier infections in Luxembourg and Denmark.