Bluetongue returns to the Czech Republic for the first time in 15 years

For the first time since 2009, several new cases of one of the most dangerous diseases for livestock, bluetongue, have been registered in the Czech Republic. This was reported by the country's Ministry of Agriculture. The outbreak was recorded on a farm near the town of Sokolov, where both small and large cattle are bred. In the last few days, two sheep have died there, which had symptoms similar to this disease. In total, the affected farm contains more than 370 breeding sheep, at least 200 goats and more than 130 heads of cattle. The State Veterinary Administration (SVS) is already taking emergency measures to minimize the risk of further spread of bluetongue. First of all, a 150-kilometer control zone has been created around the outbreak of the disease. Within its boundaries, strict rules will be applied to the movement of farm and other animals. In particular, for the duration of the restrictive measures, they will be prohibited from being moved from the affected areas to the ...