A new strain of bluetongue disease has emerged in France, with three outbreaks confirmed in different departments. The Ministry of Agriculture disclosed the presence of serotype 3 in sheep farms in Nord, Aisne, and Ardennes, previously unseen in the country. Measures have been taken to investigate twenty-two suspected cases.
Following the detection of the virus in Belgium in October 2023, the French government established a regulated zone within a 150-kilometer radius of the border. With the recent outbreaks, the zone has been expanded, prompting a free, voluntary vaccination campaign targeting cattle and sheep. The Ministry of Agriculture has increased the supply of vaccines to meet the demand.
‘Economic and psychological cost’
Despite the efforts, concerns persist about the economic and psychological toll on farmers. Limited financial assistance is available to farmers outside the restricted zone who opt for vaccination. With the disease spreading in Europe, vigilance and proactive measures are crucial to prevent further outbreaks.
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