Blisters in the mouth, a swollen head and problems with breathing and the legs. These are all symptoms that cattle that have bluetongue can suffer from. The rapidly spreading virus has now also settled in Drenthe. Including the flock of sheep in Havelte. “And that is bad news,” said shepherd Jelte Kootstra.
If you look at the field behind the sheepfold, you will see a white ball of misery lying in the grass. The sheep has isolated itself from the rest and no longer has the energy to get up. “A few days ago we saw that something was not right,” says Kootstra. “The vet then did a test, and sure enough, this morning I got the call. Bluetongue.”
And that is a message the shepherd is not waiting for. “If you look at the places in the rest of the country where the virus is spreading, you will see that quite a few animals are dying. We have five hundred sheep walking around here. If more sheep test positive, I will be concerned. for the consequences for our herd.”
It is not only livestock farmers who are concerned about the emergence of the disease in our province. Veterinarians in Drenthe also see the damage the disease causes and fear a major outbreak. “The spread is happening very quickly. As a practice, we have been trying to prepare for it for a few weeks,” says veterinarian Bernd Hietberg, who has a practice in Beilen. “Last night we had discussions with the livestock farmers who come to us to discuss what you can do if an animal becomes infected. We are taking it very seriously.”
Bluetongue occurs in various cattle, but sheep seem to be most affected. In other parts of the country where the virus is prevalent, as many as 25 percent of sheep die, says Hietberg. “Again, 25 percent! That really has a huge impact on livestock farmers.”