Concern among farmers – after the first cases of cows with bluetongue

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Sweden has until now been spared. But according to the Swedish Agricultural Agency, two cases of the viral disease bluetongue have been confirmed in recent days; in Uddevalla municipality and Laholm municipality.

In the neighboring county of Jönköping, the farmers are on their toes and afraid that the infection will come here.

– Of course I’m nervous, but it doesn’t help, says Karin Nalbin, who has a farm outside Mullsjö with 300 cows.

Outbreak in Europe

The disease is spread via scurvy and affects ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats. There have been previous outbreaks of bluetongue in the Netherlands, Belgium, England, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Denmark and Norway.

– Unfortunately, it was not a question of if, but when it would come to Sweden, says Karin Nalbin.

No requirement for vaccination

The disease does not infect humans, but can cause suffering for animals and great financial losses for animal owners.

Today, there is no requirement for animals to be vaccinated in Europe, unlike during the large outbreak in 2008. Nowadays, it is voluntary for the EU countries to fight the disease.

In the clip above, you can hear how bluetongue can affect food prices and which goods may become more expensive in that case.

SYMPTOMS OF BLUETONGUE

  • In addition to fever, swelling and redness of the mucous membranes in the oral cavity and nasal cavity are seen. The animals salivate and have nasal discharge.
  • Swelling can also be seen around the nose, ears and sometimes the whole head. Swelling around the head can cause circulation to stop in the tongue, which then turns blue. However, this is quite rare, although it has given the disease its name.
  • Later in the course of the disease, sores form around the nose, in the mouth and on the edge of the hoofs, which makes it difficult for the animal to eat and exhibits lameness.
  • Severe symptoms are most common in sheep, cattle usually get milder symptoms with salivation, nasal and tear flow and reduced milk production.

    • Source: Statens veterinärmedicinska anstalt, SVA

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