Bluetongue virus reaches Sweden, Norway amid a surge of outbreaks
After spreading rapidly across central Europe over the last few months, several cases of bluetongue virus (BTV) have been reported in Sweden and Norway, the first instances that far north in over a decade.
The disease is non-contagious and cannot be spread by direct or indirect contact between animals. Instead, it is transmitted by insects and affects sheep and other ruminants such as goats, cattle, and deer.
It has high mortality rates and can cause abortion, and reduced milk and wool production in infected animals. Fears over its spread in central Europe this summer led to restrictions on the movement of live animals.
On 13 September, Sweden reported its first case of bluetongue in 15 years, with Norway following suit on Thursday (19 September). Both countries are affected by the type 3 strain of the disease (BTV-3), particularly lethal for sheep.
“Bluetongue had only emerged twice in northern Europe, in 2006 and 2008,” Professor Karl Stahl, state epizootologist in Sweden, told Euractiv.
BTV-3 was behind a severe outbreak in the Netherlands in September 2023, and on 13 September 2024, Austria and Portugal confirmed their first cases of this strain, followed by the Czech Republic a week later.
Other member states currently affected by BTV-3 and other strains are Belgium, France, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, Italy , and the Netherlands.
According to Stahl, the situation could improve in the coming autumn months. “We assume that midge activity will slow down, the spread will not be massive (…) because we are at the end of the [midge] season”.
However, Stahl said that climatic conditions in each country will determine the likelihood of the virus persisting.
In order to contain the virus and in line with EU rules, the movement of live animals from not disease-free areas is subject to special requirements, including vaccination and certification.
EU and member states take action to tackle resurgence of animal diseases
Several animal diseases made a comeback across the European Union this summer, forcing authorities to impose transport restrictions and the culling of thousands of livestock amid financial losses for farmers and concerns about the potential impact on the bloc’s exports.
Calling for CAP support
At a the meeting of EU agriculture ministers (AGRIFISH) next Monday (23 September), the Belgian delegation will present a note calling for additional funding to support farmers and combat the spread of the disease.
In addition to high mortality rates and reduced output, Belgium highlights the economic damage caused by additional labour costs for care, growth retardation and infertility problems.
According to the note, the more than 2,000 outbreaks in the country during July and August resulted in losses of almost €13 million.
Belgium will urge the Commission to consider using the crisis reserve under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which amounts to €450 million a year, to address the situation.
Last week, French S&D MEPs Eric Sargiacomo and Christophe Clergeau called on the new French Prime Minister Michel Barnier to put pressure to the European Commission to do the same.
Read more with Euractiv
