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Bluetongue: vaccination to slow the epidemic
Bluetongue: vaccination to slow the epidemic
(France 2)
How to stem the tide of the bluetongue epidemic? The FNSEA, the leading agricultural union, is demanding accelerated access to the vaccine and compensation.
Are his sheep contaminated? Every morning, A A breeder based near Antibes (Alpes-Maritimes) inspects his herd. A few days ago, he confined three of his animals infected with bluetongue, a disease characterized by swelling of the head. “We are not out of the woods yet. The climate is changing, I think these creatures were not here before and now that they have arrived, we go to the slaughterhouse every week. Many animals pass through, and they can bring the creature back to the cattle truck.”the breeder believes.
Although not dangerous to humans, bluetongue is fatal to sheep. Another breeder has already lost 20 of his animals. The vaccine to protect them did not arrive in time. “Giving the vaccine is very good, but it is too late. There will be anger among the breeders”comments Stéphane Toussaint, sheep breeder.
M. Rio, Y. Sanchez, D. Chevalier