First case of bluetongue in Valais
Published: Friday, Oct 4th 2024, 17:50
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The bluetongue disease that has been spreading in Switzerland for several weeks has reached Valais. On Wednesday, the disease was confirmed in a cattle in Lower Valais, the first time in the canton since 2008.
This is a case of bluetongue serotype 8 (BTV-8), as announced by the canton of Valais on Friday. In accordance with the measures prescribed by law, the affected herd has been placed under lockdown. The canton issued a ban on the movement of animals in order to minimize the risk of transmission to other herds.
Since the end of August 2024, the veterinary authorities of numerous cantons have been detecting cases of bluetongue serotype 8 (BTV-8) and serotype 3 (BTV-3). The arrival of the virus in the canton of Valais is therefore not surprising, it said.
This disease mainly affects sheep and cattle. It is transmitted by midges, small mosquitoes. In sheep in particular, the disease causes symptoms such as fever, inflammation of the mucous membranes, edema and paralysis. The disease is not dangerous for humans.
As preventive measures, the authorities recommend that livestock farmers use insecticides, erect physical barriers against insects and remove animals from standing water.
There are vaccines against the different types of the virus, the canton of Valais writes in the communiqué. However, these are either not approved or not currently available in Switzerland. Even if they would not prevent the infection or spread of the virus, they could reduce the symptoms. Their use could therefore be recommended as soon as they are available in Switzerland, it said.
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