Commission calls for swift action against bluetongue
Published: Tuesday, Oct 15th 2024, 18:50
Back to Live Feed
In view of the spread of bluetongue disease in cattle and sheep farms, a parliamentary committee is calling for swift action. The Federal Council should ensure that non-approved vaccines and medicines against the disease can be imported and used.
The Committee for Science, Education and Culture of the Council of States (WBK-S) unanimously adopted a motion on this, as reported by the parliamentary services on Tuesday. The virus, which is harmless to humans, causes great damage among sheep and cattle. In Germany, over 70 percent of infected animals died.
In the neighboring country, which is also heavily affected by the disease, the animals can be protected with a vaccination. This leads to a milder course of the disease and reduces mortality. Although vaccines against bluetongue exist, they are not approved in Switzerland or the EU.
In Germany and other EU countries, however, they could still be used in an emergency situation, with temporary approval, writes the WBK-S in the motion. Switzerland must have a vaccine available by spring 2025 at the latest.
In Switzerland, the number of sheep and cattle affected by bluetongue is increasing. Just over a week ago, 956 livestock holdings were affected, according to a list published by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO). Bluetongue was detected in more than 20 cantons.
Bluetongue (BT) is a viral disease of ruminants and camelids (even-toed ungulates). It is transmitted by stinging insects.
©Keystone/SDA
English 
German 
French 
Spanish 
Arabic