Austria Reports Outbreak Of Bluetongue Virus On Cattle Farm Woah Says

Austria Reports Outbreak of Bluetongue Virus on Cattle Farm, Says WOAH

What is Bluetongue Virus?

Bluetongue virus is a non-contagious, orbivirus that affects domestic and wild ruminants, including cattle, sheep, goats, and deer. The virus is transmitted by midges that carry the virus from infected to susceptible animals. Bluetongue virus can cause a range of clinical signs in infected animals, including fever, swelling of the head and neck, and a blue discoloration of the tongue. In severe cases, bluetongue virus can lead to death.

Outbreak in Austria

On August 17, 2023, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reported an outbreak of bluetongue virus on a cattle farm in Austria. This is the first reported outbreak of bluetongue virus in Austria since 2008. The affected farm is located in the province of Burgenland, which borders Hungary and Slovakia. The outbreak has been confirmed by laboratory testing, and the virus has been identified as serotype 8. Serotype 8 is a common strain of bluetongue virus that has been circulating in Europe in recent years.

Control Measures

The Austrian authorities have implemented a range of control measures to contain the outbreak, including: * Movement restrictions on animals in the affected area * Vaccination of animals in the surrounding area * Surveillance for new cases of bluetongue virus The WOAH is working with the Austrian authorities to investigate the outbreak and to prevent its spread.

Impact on Trade

The outbreak of bluetongue virus in Austria could have a significant impact on the country's livestock industry. Bluetongue virus is a notifiable disease, which means that countries that are free of the disease must report any outbreaks to the WOAH. This can lead to trade restrictions being imposed on animals and animal products from affected countries. The Austrian authorities are working to control the outbreak and to minimize its impact on the livestock industry.

Advice for Farmers

Farmers in Austria should be aware of the outbreak of bluetongue virus and should take steps to protect their animals. This includes: * Vaccinating animals against bluetongue virus * Controlling midges on their farms * Reporting any suspected cases of bluetongue virus to the authorities Farmers should also be aware of the movement restrictions that are in place in the affected area.

More Information

For more information on bluetongue virus, please visit the following websites: * World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH): https://www.woah.org/en/ * European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en * United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): https://www.usda.gov/