The disease bluetongue not only affects sheep and cows, but also alpacas. Two alpacas at a company in Schellinkhout in North Holland have now succumbed to an infection with the viral disease. Several alpaca keepers in Brabant are concerned about the health of their animals.
“We keep the alpacas outside as much as possible,” says Lisanne Ruijl of Alpacafram Riethoven. “If there is a swarm of midges, the mosquito species that transmits the bluetongue virus, in the meadow, the alpacas can still run away. It is just like having a mosquito in your bedroom, then the chance that you will be stung is very high. ”
“Hope it happens less often.”
The alpaca farm site used to be divided into small meadows and Lisanne turned them into a large meadow. Lisanne started the alpaca farm together with Koen in 2020 with Elvis and Guusje as the first residents. They now have fourteen alpacas, all of which have their own name and mainly walk in the area with visitors.
A number of photogenic and cuddly alpacas have already died in Belgium and the north of the Netherlands. “The vectors of the virus, just like mosquitoes, are mainly in areas with a lot of water. So here in Riethoven we are quite lucky because there is less open water. We hope that it will therefore occur less.”
“We are constantly observing the animals.”
Nevertheless, Lisanne and her employees are alert to possible symptoms of the infection. “There are also a number of Facebook groups where everyone shares their experiences. The symptoms are slightly different than with sheep and cows: the alpacas do get a fever, but not a swollen head and a blue tongue. They mainly become very lethargic and walk a lot. and can therefore also die from infection.
Even though the animals have very thick fur, they can still be stung by the midge. “This mainly happens on the nose and in the armpits or groin of the animal, because the fur is a lot thinner there. We are constantly observing the fourteen animals to see whether they are still feeling good, because they often have the virus among the members for two weeks before they really get sick. There is no vaccination for it yet, so we just hope it doesn’t end up here,” Lisanne concludes.
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