Northern France herds under threat from new strain of bluetongue

France is under threat from a new strain of bluetongue, which came from northern Europe and is present in Belgium. The disease is not transmissible to humans, but causes great damage to livestock, particularly sheep, but also cows and goats.

To limit the risks of contamination, the movement of ruminants is now restricted, from Pas-de-Calais to Moselle, with a requirement for a negative test before departure. The decision was taken to avoid the arrival of a new serotype, a new strain, of this so-called “blue tongue” fever. For Michèle Boudoin, from the National Sheep Federation, “This measure is reasonable to see how we can prevent, in a buffer zone, this stereotype from spreading throughout the territory. It is a fairly virulent strain, with very high mortality rates.”

This new threat is in addition to two other strains already present in France, which are resurfacing this summer in the south. Every year, the disease gains ground: global warming favors the midge that transmits the fever, explains Stéphan Zientara, director of the animal health laboratory of Anses: “For several years, we have seen persistence of midges that are capable of surviving the cold period and increasing again in spring and summer.”

“Before 1998, Europe was free of bluetongue.”

Stephan Zientara, Anses

to franceinfo

Faced with the disease, there is a weapon: vaccines. Sheep farmers are demanding more state aid to be able to carry out a massive vaccination campaign.