Spain: First vaccines purchased to combat bluetongue fever

It first arrived in Portugal and now both the Government and the Junta de Andalucía are preparing for its extension to the rest of the Iberian Peninsula. It is serotype 3 of bluetongue, better known as bluetongue disease; a virus that is transmitted between cattle and sheep, causing severe clinical symptoms and high mortality, as up to 25% of infected specimens can die. The Official Veterinary Services of the neighbouring country have recently detected the disease in three sheep farms located in the Region of Évora, very close to the border with Spain. Along the same lines, there are suspicions about other nearby farms that could also be infected and which, in fact, are currently in the process of confirmation. Vaccines as soon as possible Given the circumstances, the procedures have been expedited to proceed with the distribution of the doses and thus protect the flocks of the province of Almería, where in May 2024 there were 3,156 sheep with dairy aptitude. To begin with the ...