Vaccination against bluetongue permitted due to urgent situation
Published: Thursday, Oct 17th 2024, 12:20
Retour au fil d'actualité
In Switzerland, cattle and sheep can be vaccinated against bluetongue and the vaccine can be imported. Although the vaccination does not protect the animals from the mosquito-borne disease, it can mitigate its progression. The responsible authorities see great urgency.
The Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) has issued a general ruling on the use of the vaccine in consultation with the regulatory authority Swissmedic. This is according to a statement issued by the FSVO on Thursday.
Article in the Animal Diseases Act
According to the FSVO, there are legal provisions in the EU that allow member states to use unauthorized vaccines under certain circumstances, but not in Switzerland. The Federal Office and the therapeutic products institute Swissmedic base their general ruling on an article in the Epizootic Diseases Act.
This is justified by the urgency and the large number of livestock farms affected by bluetongue. Specifically, the law allows "all measures to be taken that appear appropriate according to the current state of science and experience in order to prevent the occurrence and spread of an animal disease".
Vaccination is currently the best way to prevent losses. It is recommended, but is voluntary and must be paid for by the animal owners. The injection cannot prevent the disease, but can lead to milder courses. It can also reduce mortality among the animals.
Transmitted by midges
Vaccination is possible against bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3), which is particularly harmful to sheep. The first cases of this serotype were detected in Switzerland at the end of August 2024. The disease is spread by midges, a small blood-sucking mosquito species.
Symptoms include fever, inflammation of the mucous membranes, lameness and abortions. BTV-3 is often milder in cows than in sheep. However, they can also develop severe symptoms and give significantly less milk.
In Switzerland, the number of sheep and cattle affected by bluetongue is increasing. On October 11, serotype BTV-3 was found in over 1000 livestock holdings and serotype BTV-8 in around 150, according to a list published by the FSVO. At least one serotype was detected in over 20 cantons. The disease is not dangerous for humans.
A parliamentary committee recently also called for swift action on bluetongue with a unanimously adopted motion. The Committee for Science, Education and Culture of the Council of States (WBK-S) referred to the possibility in EU countries of using the vaccine in an emergency.
©Keystone/SDA
French 
English 
German 
Spanish 
Arabic