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Video length: 7 min
Catarrhal fever: a disease that is gaining ground
Bluetongue continues to spread. In France, several hundred cases were recorded in the latest health report. This disease, which affects sheep, is now present in more than ten departments.
(France 2)
Bluetongue continues to spread. In France, several hundred cases were recorded in the latest health report. This disease, which affects sheep, is now present in more than ten departments.
Bluetongue is spreading in sheep and cattle farms and professionals are worried. This disease affects ruminants, whether cattle, sheep or deer and other large ruminants. It is transmitted mainly by midges called culicoides. Bluetongue causes various symptoms. Fever, lesions in the mouth and feet, as well as respiratory problems. It can lead to the death of animals, as is seen in many breeders.
Pascal, a veterinarian in the Grand Est region, is an overwhelmed man. He crisscrosses the Meuse, faced with one of the deadliest epidemics in recent years. The only sheep specialist in the region, he is in high demand. At the moment, he is counting the dead animals.
The map of the evolution of the epidemic (GDS France)
Measures announced by the Ministry of Agriculture to support breeders
Bultavo 3 vaccine leaflet
The Bluevac vaccine leaflet
The history of the vaccination campaign (Ministry of Agriculture cross-checked with the Boehringer Ingelheim laboratory)