Order Measures to Combat Animal Disease EHD
Published: Monday, Oct 16th 2023, 17:31
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The Swiss Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (BLV) has issued measures to combat the epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD). The disease was first detected in Switzerland last week in a calf in the canton of Bern. Since then, a second case has been reported in the canton of Jura, involving a cow. As the disease is transmitted by mosquitoes, it is expected that more cases will occur.
In response, the BLV has issued a new regulation that comes into effect on Tuesday. This prohibits the export of live animals that are susceptible to EHD, and imposes restrictions on the export of breeding material such as semen, eggs and embryos. There are no restrictions on animal transport within Switzerland.
As there is currently no approved vaccine for EHD, the containment of the disease is limited to the restriction of affected farms. The restriction is of long duration, and can only be lifted when all susceptible animals in the herd have been tested negative for EHD twice, with at least 60 days between tests.
In Switzerland, EHD is classified as a disease to be combated. The mortality rate in livestock is very low, and there is no obligation to euthanize infected animals unless they are severely ill. The same applies to the other animals in the farm.
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