A new, more serious version of the deadly bluetongue virus is spreading among ruminants in Europe, including in Denmark.
It can certainly appear here and we are on the alert, says Karl Ståhl, state epizootologist at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute (SVA).
SVA assesses that there is a medium to high risk that the virus, which is spread by scurvy, will make its way to Sweden. August, September and October will be decisive months, says Karl Ståhl.
There are many different factors that come into play. It’s not just how close the land is, but what the wind direction and temperatures are like.
Cows, sheep and goats are at risk of the virus, which can lead to death.
It’s mainly sheep that get really sick, says Ståhl.
The virus was first discovered in the Netherlands last year. Since then, cases have been reported in, among other places, Germany, Great Britain, France and now most recently in Denmark.
Last spring, an emergency vaccine was ready, but it has not yet been approved by the European Medicines Agency EMA.
On the other hand, countries can apply for a so-called preparedness license, which Sweden received.
It is not entirely clear how effective these vaccines are. When it goes this fast, it’s not evaluated that way. They are used in the acute phase without having full control of how effective they are, says Karl Ståhl.
Today there is no requirement for animals to be vaccinated in Europe, unlike during the large outbreak in 2008 when it became a requirement.
In Sweden, it is the animal owners who decide on vaccination and they have to bear the cost themselves.
Facts: Blue tongue
The virus is spread via ticks, which can travel long distances with the wind. They are active during the summer months.
It cannot spread from animal to animal. Humans cannot be infected by the virus.
Bluetongue can affect cattle, sheep, goats and camels.
The first case of the virus in Sweden was in 2008 and the last case in 2010.
The symptoms are fever, swelling and sore mucous membranes, salivation, swelling around the whole head, clawing, reduced milk production in cows, circulatory arrest in the tongue which turns it blue. In the worst case, it can lead to death.
Source: The Swedish Agency for Agriculture and the Norwegian Veterinary Medical Institute