Jordbruksverket press release: For the first time in 15 years, the viral disease bluetongue has been detected in Sweden. The current case is with a dairy cow in Uddevalla municipality. The virus is spread between animals via scurvy and it is usually single animals that are affected in a herd. The disease does not infect humans. Sheep and cattle owners should be aware of symptoms in their animals and avoid baits with a lot of scald.
– The affected crew is now subject to movement restrictions for a short period while we investigate the extent of the outbreak. The restrictions mean that animals may not be moved from the herd without permission from the Swedish Agricultural Agency. Exceptions are made for animals going to slaughter, says Kristina Mieziewska, infection control officer at the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
The reason why the animals must not be moved is that infected animals can spread the infection further to scald nodes in other places that are currently infection-free.
Sweden loses its declaration of independence
Table of Contents
- 1 Sweden loses its declaration of independence
- 2 Voluntary vaccination of susceptible animals
- 3 This is how pet owners can reduce the spread of infection in their immediate area
- 4 This is bluetongue
- 5 What is the Bluetongue virus and how does it affect dairy cows in Sweden?
- 6 Affects ruminant animals, such as sheep and cattle, and is transmitted by midges.
Table of Contents
Sweden has until now had official freedom status from bluetongue. When we now get a case, Sweden will lose this status. The biggest consequence of that is that it becomes more difficult to export animals from Sweden to other countries.
Voluntary vaccination of susceptible animals
15 years ago, when Sweden was last affected by bluetongue, compulsory vaccination was carried out according to an EU joint strategy. This is no longer relevant, as it is no longer considered possible nor cost-effective to eradicate bluetongue. EU legislation has also been changed so that it is voluntary for countries to fight the disease and maintain freedom. Based on the current situation, the disease will therefore not be fought nationally in Sweden either.
– Bluetongue is not transmitted between animals, but via scalding. This makes it difficult to protect one’s 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 State Veterinary Institute, SVA.
This is how pet owners can reduce the spread of infection in their immediate area
- Pay attention to symptoms in cattle, sheep or goats. If bluetongue is suspected, contact a veterinarian. Bluetongue is a notifiable disease.
- Voluntary vaccination – the pet owner contacts their veterinarian and bears the cost themselves. That the vaccines do not prevent infection but reduces the risk of severe symptoms and death.
- The animal owner may vaccinate his own animals after contact with a veterinarian.
- Move grazing animals from knot-rich pastures.
- Stalling the animals can reduce contact with stingrays, especially at dusk, dawn and nighttime when stingrays are most active.
This is bluetongue
- Bluetongue is a viral disease that affects ruminants such as cattle, sheep, goats and camels and can cause suffering to animals and great economic losses to animal owners.
- The symptoms can be fever, sore and swollen mucosa in the mouth and nose as well as in the hoof region, lameness, swelling in the head region and reduced milk production. Not all infected animals become ill and the degree of symptoms varies from mild symptoms to severe illness and death.
- The disease cannot infect humans.
- The virus is spread via scalding nodes and is therefore only spread during the period when the scalding nodes are active.
- The infection does not spread from animal to animal and the animals that have had bluetongue do not become infected again, they are immune.
- Bluetongue is a viral disease that can exist in several different variants, so-called serotypes. The variant that is now being spread is BTV‑3, while the one we had in Sweden in 2008 was BTV‑8.
What is the Bluetongue virus and how does it affect dairy cows in Sweden?
Breaking News: Bluetongue Virus Detected in Sweden After 15 Years, Dairy Cow in Uddevalla Municipality Affected
Sweden has been struck with a viral disease that has not been seen in the country for 15 years. The Swedish Agricultural Agency, Jordbruksverket, has issued a press release announcing the detection of Bluetongue, a disease that affects ruminant animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats. The current case involves a dairy cow in Uddevalla municipality.
The Disease and Its Transmission
Bluetongue is a viral disease that is spread between animals via biting midges, also known as scurvy. It is usually single animals that are affected in a herd, and the disease does not infect humans. The symptoms of Bluetongue can be fever, sore and swollen mucosa in the mouth and nose as well as in the hoof region, lameness, swelling in the head region, and reduced milk production. Not all infected animals become ill, and the degree of symptoms varies from mild to severe.
Containment Measures
To prevent the spread of the disease, the affected herd is now subject to movement restrictions for a short period. This means that animals may not be moved from the herd without permission from the Swedish Agricultural Agency. Exceptions are made for animals going to slaughter. This restriction is necessary to prevent infected animals from spreading the infection to other areas that are currently infection-free.
Loss of Declaration of Independence
Sweden has until now had official freedom status from Bluetongue. However, with this new case, Sweden will lose this status. The biggest consequence of this is that it becomes more difficult to export animals from Sweden to other countries.
Voluntary Vaccination
15 years ago, when Sweden was last affected by Bluetongue, compulsory vaccination was carried out according to an EU joint strategy. However, this is no longer relevant, as it is no longer considered possible nor cost-effective to eradicate Bluetongue. EU legislation has also been changed, making it voluntary for countries to fight the disease and maintain freedom. Based on the current situation, the disease will therefore not be fought nationally in Sweden either. However, animal owners can voluntarily vaccinate their animals, which can reduce the risk of severe symptoms and death.
Prevention Measures for Pet Owners
Animal owners can take steps to reduce the spread of infection in their immediate area:
Pay attention to symptoms in cattle, sheep, or goats. If Bluetongue is suspected, contact a veterinarian. Bluetongue is a notifiable disease.
Voluntary vaccination – the pet owner contacts their veterinarian and bears the cost themselves.
Move grazing animals from knot-rich pastures.
Stalling the animals can reduce contact with midges, especially at dusk, dawn, and nighttime when midges are most active.
About Bluetongue
Bluetongue is a viral disease that affects ruminant animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and camels and can cause suffering to animals and great economic losses to animal owners. The disease is spread by biting midges and can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, sore and swollen mucosa, lameness, and reduced milk production.
By being aware of the symptoms of Bluetongue and taking steps to prevent the spread of infection, animal owners can play a crucial role in minimizing the impact of this disease on their animals and the livestock industry as a whole.
Sources:
Jordbruksverket press release
Swedish Board of Agriculture
* State Veterinary Institute (SVA)
Keywords: Bluetongue, Sweden, Jordbruksverket, viral disease, ruminant animals, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, midges, vaccination, animal health, livestock industry.
Affects ruminant animals, such as sheep and cattle, and is transmitted by midges.
Bluetongue Detected in Sweden: What You Need to Know
After a 15-year hiatus, the viral disease bluetongue has reared its head in Sweden, with a dairy cow in Uddevalla municipality testing positive for the virus. This development has significant implications for the country’s agricultural industry, particularly for sheep and cattle owners. In this article, we will delve into the details of the outbreak, what it means for Sweden, and how pet owners can reduce the spread of infection in their immediate area.
What is Bluetongue?
Bluetongue is a viral disease that affects ruminant animals, such as sheep, cattle, and goats. It is transmitted between animals via midges, which are small, flying insects that feed on the blood of mammals. The disease does not infect humans and is usually confined to single animals within a herd.
Sweden Loses its Declaration of Independence
Until now, Sweden has enjoyed an official freedom status from bluetongue. However, with the detection of the virus, the country will lose this status, making it more difficult to export animals to other countries.
Voluntary Vaccination of Susceptible Animals
In the past, compulsory vaccination was carried out according to an EU joint strategy. However, this approach is no longer considered cost-effective or possible, and EU legislation has since changed to make vaccination voluntary for countries. As a result, Sweden will not launch a national vaccination program to combat the disease.
This is How Pet Owners Can Reduce the Spread of Infection in Their Immediate Area
Pet owners can take the following steps to reduce the spread of infection:
- Monitor your animals for symptoms: If you suspect bluetongue, contact a veterinarian. Bluetongue is a notifiable disease.
- Voluntary vaccination: Consult with your veterinarian and bear the cost of vaccination yourself. Vaccines do not prevent infection but reduce the risk of severe symptoms and death.
- Move grazing animals from knot-rich pastures: Reduce contact with midges by moving your animals to areas with fewer midges.
- Stall your animals: Reduce contact with midges, especially at dusk, dawn, and nighttime when they are most active.
The Bluetongue Virus and Its Impact on Dairy Cows in Sweden
The Bluetongue virus is transmitted between animals via midges, which are found in humid, tropical, and subtropical regions. In Sweden, the virus is more likely to affect dairy cows, as they are more susceptible to midge bites. The virus can cause severe symptoms, including fever, swelling, and ulceration, leading to death in some cases.
Conclusion
The detection of bluetongue in Sweden is a significant development for the country’s agricultural industry. While the disease does not infect humans, it can have a significant impact on animal health and the economy. By taking proactive steps to monitor their animals, vaccinate them voluntarily, and reduce contact with midges, pet owners can play a crucial role in containing the spread of the virus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is bluetongue?
A: Bluetongue is a viral disease that
