Bluetongue affects sheep in Netherlands

After the European Commission confirmed the presence of bluetongue, an insect-borne viral infection in sheep the Dutch Government has banned all exports of live sheep, cattle and goats.

The European Commission announced in a written statement that the outbreak of bluetongue is confirmed in the sheep of Netherlands. It said that it is a virus common in the Mediterranean regions and it is for the first time that it has been detected in northern Europe.

Not only has the government banned exports, it has also introduced movement restrictions covering a 170km radius around the affected farm in Kerkrade.

In order to gain insight into the whole situation, further testing and investigation is being carried out at European Union (EU) Reference Laboratory at Pirbright in Britain.

However, the virus does not affect humans and cannot be spread through the consumption of milk and meat. Bluetongue only affects wild and domestic ruminants, which include goats and deer as well as cattle. Out of all, sheep are the most susceptible, with up to 70% of an infected flock dying from the virus.

The early symptoms of the disease are fever, mucus lining the animal's mouth, nose and eyes. The early visible characteristic also includes salivation and frothing.

All trades, including the export of live animas and their products have been banned by the Dutch Government, which is being assisted by an Italian.

In order to resolve the knotty situation, a meeting was held between the Economic Commission, the Netherlands and the adjoining Member States on Friday. A special meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health slated on Monday will also discuss the situation.

The Economic Commission said that it is taking necessary steps to control the disease and foreclose it from spreading to more cattle in the neighboring states.

How the virus got to the North is still an unresolved question. Some are blaming the climatic change, while others hold the species of midges to be responsible.