THE HAGUE, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Bluetongue disease has been confirmed in all 12 Dutch provinces, according to official data released on Monday. The disease is potentially deadly for sheep and cattle.
Until last week, Flevoland was the only province without reported cases of the bluetongue virus. However, new data from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has now confirmed the virus is also present in this province.
As of this week, the total number of infections has risen to 1,722, with Gelderland, North Brabant, Limburg, and Overijssel experiencing the most outbreaks.
The bluetongue virus primarily affects sheep and cattle, but can also infect other ruminants. The virus is mainly spread by midges, a type of small biting fly.
Infected animals may develop symptoms such as a blue tongue and mouth inflammations. While some animals recover, others may die from complications such as fluid accumulation, and an inability to eat and drink induced by the virus.
The current outbreak of bluetongue began in September 2023, with initial detections at four sheep farms in the provinces of North Holland and Utrecht. The last occurrence of the virus in the Netherlands was in 2009. ■
