More than 40 outbreaks of bluetongue confirmed in six departments in northern France

A progression closely monitored. In total, 41 outbreaks of a new type of bluetongue (BT), also called “blue tongue disease”, have been confirmed as of August 14 in six departments in the north of France, the Ministry of Agriculture announced on Friday, August 16. They are spread across Aisne, Ardennes, Marne, Moselle, Nord and Oise, the ministry specified in an update of the number of farms concerned.

A “regulated” zone of 150 kilometers around confirmed outbreaks has been set up in 30 departments. The movement of cattle, goats and sheep is subject to restrictions in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus.

The new serotype 3 of this virus, which is not transmissible to humans, was first detected in Europe in September 2023, in the Netherlands, before being detected in Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom in the following months. The first cases were confirmed in early August in France, Luxembourg and Denmark. The spread of the disease is currently accelerating in several countries, with the Dutch authorities, for example, recording some 3,807 outbreaks on Thursday, 900 more than on Monday.

Bluetongue is manifested by fever, respiratory problems, a hanging tongue or even the loss of pregnant young and sometimes by the death of animals, in varying proportions from one farm to another. Its detection does not lead to the slaughter of animals, unlike avian flu. It also affects cattle, but with very low mortality, as well as goats. Vaccines are available and a vaccination campaign began in the north of France this week.