News item | 06-09-2023 | 08:18
An infection with the bluetongue virus has been detected at four sheep farms in the same region, namely in the municipality of Wijdemeren (province of North Holland) and the municipality of Stichtse Vecht (province of Utrecht). The last time this virus was diagnosed was in 2009. This virus is not transferable through direct contact between animals and is not contagious to humans. An infection does have direct consequences for the trade of live ruminants and their sperm, ova and embryos within the EU. The infected companies are temporarily blocked by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) pending the results of the source and contact investigation.
Piet Adema, Minister of LNV: “It is unfortunate that the bluetongue virus has been diagnosed in the Netherlands again after so long. This is a shock for the holders concerned. This disease does not require the culling of animals as with avian flu, given the nature of the disease. However, animals can become seriously ill and the finding in the Netherlands creates additional conditions for the sector when they want to trade live ruminants and live products within the EU. This has economic effects. Together with the NVWA, we will closely monitor the situation.”
The bluetongue virus mainly occurs in sheep and cattle, but other ruminants can also be infected. The infections are caused by the bite of flies (midges) that are infected with the virus. There are several serotypes of this disease. The serotype of these infections has yet to be determined. The symptoms vary, from symptomless to very serious. Normally, the disease is not fatal, but complications (such as poor diet) can still cause death.
The bluetongue virus is a category C disease according to the Animal Health Regulation (EU). This means that there is a duty to report the bluetongue virus, but no duty to combat it. Suspicions of an infection with bluetongue must be reported to the NVWA.
Measures
In order to gain more clarity about the situation, companies with infected animals are (temporarily) not allowed to remove animals or living products (sperm, ova and embryos). An epidemiological source and contact investigation will be carried out and companies in the area will be screened to determine the extent and spread of the contamination. Where possible, insect repellent measures are taken at the infected companies in order to try to prevent further spread of the virus. Vaccination is the most important control tool for the livestock farmer. However, in order to be able to vaccinate, it is necessary to know which serotype the virus concerns and whether a suitable vaccine is available for this serotype. There will be more clarity about this in the short term.
Consequences of international trade
The Netherlands will report the contamination to the European Commission. The certification requirements for the trade in live ruminants and their germinal products (sperm, ova and embryos) will change immediately and additional conditions will apply for trade to other EU Member States, such as quarantine or additional testing. The changed certification requirements will have noticeable economic consequences for the sector. Trade with third countries may also be affected by these outbreaks. The sector has been informed about these changes.