Official confirmation of Bluetongue (BTV-8) in Herzogenrath The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute has officially confirmed the presence of Bluetongue disease (BTV-8) in a calf in Herzogenrath (Aachen city region).

Oberbergischer Kreis. Therefore, due to the outbreak, the existing BTV-8 restriction zone in NRW is expanding. This zone was established in November of last year within a 150 km radius around the outbreak in the Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm in Rhineland-Palatinate.

The entire area of the Oberbergischer Kreis is now within this restriction zone. The link to the interactive map created by the LAVE is available on the OBK homepage.

For susceptible animals (ruminants such as cattle, sheep, goats, wild ruminants, and camelids), additional movement conditions regarding BTV-8 must be met. Information on this can be found on the website of the State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety NRW, https://www.lave.nrw.de.

Bluetongue disease (BT) is a viral, primarily acute disease affecting sheep and cattle. Additionally, goats, New World camelids, and wild ruminants are susceptible to BT. It occurs in several variants (serotypes). In the last two years, the spread of BTV type 3 has led to significant losses in sheep and cattle populations.

Bluetongue disease is not transmitted from animal to animal but is spread to ruminants by infected biting midges, known as Culicoides.

The pathogen of bluetongue disease is harmless to humans.

„To protect animals from severe clinical diseases and to avoid trade barriers, I recommend vaccinating susceptible animals against BTV-8 now. Effective and approved vaccines are available,“ says Ms. Meyer-Schoppmann, head of the veterinary office of the Oberbergischer Kreis.

Animal owners are advised to consult their farm veterinarian regarding vaccination.

It should also be noted that the serotype 3 of the virus (BTV-3) is still present throughout the entire federal territory. The Ministry of Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia therefore urgently recommends continuing vaccinations against BTV-3 in susceptible animals to prevent unnecessary animal suffering and minimize animal losses. Both primary immunizations and booster vaccinations for animals already vaccinated last year should be completed by May of the following year at the latest.

Further information can be found at www.obk.de/blauzungenkrankheit. For questions, the Veterinary and Food Control Office of the Oberbergischer Kreis is available at the following email address amt39@obk.de or by phone at 02261/88-3919.