The number of places where bluetongue has been detected in the Zaan region has more than quadrupled in one week. The number has increased to 76, up from 18 initially. This can be concluded from data from the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
The highest number of locations with infections was found in Assendelft, 24 places. The total number of 76 locations is based on observation of characteristics and results of blood tests.
Fall asleep
Bluetongue is a virus spread by small mosquitoes, midges. It is mainly spread among sheep and cattle, but other ruminants such as goats can also get it. The virus itself is not fatal, but many animals do die from the complications it causes. The animals often develop fever, swelling and sometimes bleeding in the head.
They often die because they no longer eat or from the effects of infections. In some cases, veterinarians put the animals to sleep. There are several areas in the province where the bluetongue has already struck heavily. For example, there was already an outbreak on Texel and in West Friesland and there are also many infections in Amstelland, Haarlemmermeer and in the Goois Nature Reserve, among others.
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