“The affected herd is now subject to movement restrictions for a short period as we investigate the extent of the outbreak,” says Kristina Mieziewska, infection control officer at the Swedish Agricultural Agency in the press release.
Bluetongue cannot infect humans. The viral disease affects ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats. The virus is not transmitted between animals, but via tick bites. The symptoms can be mild but can also lead to serious illness and death.
No vaccine requirement
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.
Based on the current situation, the disease will not be fought nationally in Sweden.
“Blue tongue is not transmitted between animals, but via scalding. This makes it difficult to protect your animals, but it has been seen that installing the animals can reduce tick attacks and thus prevent the spread of infection and disease,” says Erika Chenais, state veterinarian at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, SVA in the press release.