For the first time since 2020, a case of bluetongue disease has been detected in Switzerland, in the canton of Vaud. The infection was detected yesterday, Wednesday, August 28, in a bovine.
The virus, in this case serotype 8 (BTV-8), does not pose any risk of infection for humans, the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) recalled in a press release issued this Thursday. And meat and dairy products can be consumed without fear.
In infected cattle or sheep, the infection causes symptoms such as “fever, inflammation of the mucous membranes, abortions and swelling of the head.” The disease is transmitted by small mosquitoes.
Bluetongue disease is subject to mandatory reporting and is one of the epizootic diseases to be combated, writes the FOEN. Any breeder who detects suspicious symptoms must inform a veterinarian.
In concrete terms, to limit the spread, Bern has announced that a protection zone due to bluetongue disease (BT zone) will be re-demarcated for Switzerland, with possible economic repercussions. Result: while animal movements remain possible without restrictions in Switzerland, “export to countries free of cases of bluetongue disease is only possible under certain conditions”. The same applies to semen, eggs and embryos.
The FOEN recommends that farmers combat the spread of mosquitoes using insecticides, repellents, physical barriers or by keeping animals away from stagnant water.
The Office notes, however, that livestock cannot be completely protected and warns: “In view of the current epizootic situation in Europe, and more specifically in Germany and France, the risk that bluetongue disease serotype 3 (BTV-3) will be introduced into Switzerland is very high.”
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