Portugal reports first bluetongue outbreak

The Portuguese Veterinary Service reported the registration of the first case of bluetongue serotype 3 in the country. The virus was detected among livestock on sheep farms in the municipality of Torre de Coelheiros, according to the Spanish veterinary portal Animal’s Health. As the publication notes, symptoms of the disease appeared on three sheep farms in the municipality at once. After examination, veterinarians confirmed that the animals were infected with bluetongue. Several individuals died. In addition, there are suspicions of this disease on several more farms in the municipality. This information is currently being verified. The country's authorities have introduced temporary restrictions on the movement of animals susceptible to bluetongue. Serotype 3, which has been circulating in Tunisia since 2018, was first detected in Europe last fall. In October 2023, the virus was confirmed in sheep in the Netherlands. Now this serotype has also spread to Germany, Belgium, ...