Animals have become infected with bluetongue in various places in West Friesland. Social media and other platforms warn people to keep a close eye on the animals and to intervene if they show symptoms of the virus. Not only sheep are the victims, but also a cow and possibly other ruminants.
According to a report from the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), infections have been found in Blokker, Hoorn, Oosterblok, Schellinkhout, Spierdijk and Westwoud in West Friesland.
Bluetongue is a non-contagious virus that mainly occurs in sheep. But other ruminants can also be infected with bluetongue. The disease is transmitted by the so-called ‘midges’, a species of mosquito that are also called ‘sand flies’ or ‘mites’. The flies are one to four millimeters in size and are much more difficult to see with the naked eye than other mosquito species.
Heat and humidity are ideal conditions
Nico Verduin, who in addition to being a sheep farmer is also chairman of LTO Noord, says that he does not yet have a good idea of the number of sick animals in the region. “But I do notice that it is slowly starting to come on. Last Friday we had the first case at our company. Then a young sheep had symptoms of bluetongue. Fortunately, things remained relatively quiet after that.”
The sheep farmer from Andijk has taken precautions. For example, all almost 900 sheep are brought in in the evening, and fans blow in the stables to chase away the mosquitoes. “If it stays like this, then we have brought all the animals in for a reason. But you also have to have the space to do that.”
Verduin says that he and his colleagues are facing an exciting time. “We are a bit at a loss. If it has been around for a while, it will become more intense. The weather is an annoying side effect, as the midges can thrive in this heat and humidity. For the animals and the prevention of bluetongue It may therefore be a few degrees cooler. And later in the winter it may also freeze for a while, so that the midges die.”
Petting zoos also bring animals in
Some animals have also become infected with the virus at the De Woid petting zoo in Hoorn. “A sheep and a cow,” explains manager Sandra van den Brink. “The cow survived, but unfortunately the sheep did not.” After the animals showed the first symptoms of bluetongue, the vet was called. He determined that the animals had become infected.
To prevent further infections, all animals from De Woid are brought in before the evening. This also applies to the animals at the De Waalrakkers petting zoo in Hoorn and the Juliana Park deer park. “And we treated all the animals with an insect-repellent substance,” Van den Brink explains further. “We hope it stays at this.”
Sheep and possibly alpaca infected with bluetongue
In addition, bluetongue was found on Bianca Vriend’s farm. The Schellinkhout company mainly has alpacas, but also ‘three lost sheep’, two of which are sick. “The neighbor checked them,” says Vriend. “The sheep have a high fever, a swollen head and have difficulty walking. These are symptoms that indicate that they have bluetongue.”
According to the owner of Kitalpha Alpacas, medicines help little. “I don’t think my sheep will make it,” she continues. “You can take all kinds of measures to try to prevent contamination of the midges.” This includes putting the animals in a stable at night, running fans in the stables, and not allowing the animals to come near stagnant water where the midges are active.