Bluetongue, which is dangerous for sheep and cattle, has reappeared in the Czech Republic for the first time in 15 years. The disease was detected in a breeding ram using a laboratory test, the Ministry of Agriculture in Prague announced, according to APA. The virus is harmless to humans.
Foamy salivation, serous to purulent nasal discharge and breathing difficulties are common in bluetongue disease.
Fur
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The current outbreak of the disease began in the Netherlands and then spread south and west. Cases were initially reported in Belgium and Germany, and most recently in Saxony and Bavaria. In the Czech Republic, a farm in Jindrichovice in the Sokolov district is now affected, just under 15 kilometers southeast of Klingenthal (Saxony) and 35 kilometers northeast of Selb (Bavaria).
The ram showed typical symptoms such as fever, nasal discharge, breathing difficulties, edema in the head area and loss of appetite. The Czech veterinary authorities set up a so-called restricted area with a radius of 150 kilometers around the farm. Cattle, sheep and goats may only be moved from this zone to other regions under strict conditions.
The bluetongue virus is transmitted by certain mosquitoes. Sheep and cattle are particularly susceptible to it. South American camels, goats and wild ruminants are also susceptible. A certain degree of protection against the disease can be achieved through vaccination.
