The Netherlands has detected Bluetongue virus in livestock, specifically the BTV12 variant, for which no vaccine is currently available. The infection was found in a sheep and a cow with its calf at two farms. Bluetongue is potentially fatal for domestic ruminants like sheep, cattle, and goats. This variant has been previously detected outside of Europe, but this is the first time it has been identified in the Netherlands. The Dutch agriculture ministry is considering the possibility of requiring a new vaccine in response, and has already alerted vaccine manufacturers to the situation.