The number of livestock farms suspected of being infected with bluetongue among animals has risen to more than 2,250 farms. This is double the number at the beginning of October.
Infection has been confirmed in about 1,500 companies, and in 770 companies there is serious suspicion of an outbreak. This is evidenced by the daily update issued by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
At the beginning of October, the counter was still at around 1,100 companies. Only in the provinces of Limburg and Zealand have no infections been reported in the company so far.
Bluetongue is spread by a small fly called a fly, and mainly infects sheep. Cows can also contract the disease, but are less likely to die from it.
In very sick animals, the tongue turns blue. They also suffer from high fever, drool, walk limp, and have a rounded back. The disease is not transmitted to humans. Unlike bird flu, animals that contract the disease do not need to be culled.
The first reports of bluetongue cases this year came in September from the municipalities of Wedemeren in the north of the Netherlands and Stechtsee Vecht in Utrecht. Reports of suspicious and positive sites come mainly from Central Holland, North Holland and Friesland.
