Information on the current animal disease situation can be found in the respective latest issue of the monthly newsletter Radar Bulletin (in German language).
On October 12, 2023, the first outbreak of bluetongue disease with serotype 3 (BTV-3) was detected in Germany. Since then, there have been further outbreaks in large parts of Germany. Due to the outbreaks, the "BT-free" status for Germany has been suspended. An overview of the status of disease-free member states, zones or compartments can be found in the TSIS (Animal Disease Information System).
Since July 2024, detection of BTV-3 in Germany has increased significantly (more than 3,500 detections; as of August 16, 2024). Significantly more cases and thus more affected farms are to be expected over the course of the year. BTV-typical clinical symptoms are found particularly in sheep, but cattle can also show clinical conspicuous.
The use of BTV-3 vaccines from SYVA S.A., Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH and CZ Vaccines S.A.U. was authorised on the basis of an emergency ordinance issued by the federal government. This authorisation for use is based on Article 110(2) of the EU Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulation 2019/6. The authorised vaccines are not yet approved and therefore not applicable for the facilitated movement of vaccinated animals to BT-free areas.
According to the information provided by the manufacturers in the instructions for use of the BTV-3 vaccines, use reduces the clinical signs and viraemia following infection with the BTV-3 virus. Vaccination does not provide complete protection. Current reports from the Netherlands (as of July 2024) indicate that the use of the vaccines is safe and well tolerated by vaccinated sheep and cattle. Vaccinated animals have also fallen clinically ill with BTV-3 and some have died. However, the infections in the vaccinated animals were much milder overall than in unvaccinated animals last autumn. Whether there are differences in the level of protection of the three vaccines authorised for use is currently unknown. It is also unclear whether only animals that have only been vaccinated once become ill after infection or whether the BTV-3 infection occurred before sufficient vaccine antibody protection was built up during basic immunisation.
For two of the three vaccines, the instructions for use in sheep provide for a single vaccination as basic immunisation. Initial serological tests after use of the BTV-3 vaccines indicate that the single application within the basic immunisation does not induce a clear humoral immune response. Further studies to prove the success of vaccination after single and double vaccine application have been initiated in co-operation with various federal states and the NRL-BT. As the side effects of the BTV-3 vaccine, similar to those of BTV-4 and BTV-8 vaccines, are likely to be very low, the National Reference Laboratory for Bluetongue recommends in the current situation that sheep should also be subjected to basic immunisation by means of two applications at intervals of 3-4 weeks. It is generally known that corresponding booster vaccinations have a positive effect on increasing the humoral immune response. This should further increase the protection of the sheep against clinic and massive viraemia.
At present, it remains the case that vaccination with inactivated BTV-3 vaccines is the only effective measure to protect animals from disease and death.
Trade facilitation for vaccinated animals is not to be expected on the basis of the information currently available on the possibly limited effectiveness. The current rules (repellent treatment and PCR free testing) must therefore continue to be observed when moving animals from non-BTV-free areas.
Further information on bluetongue can be found in the corresponding FLI information (download on the right-hand side of this page).
Current information on BT outbreaks in Germany for the current year can be found in the table and map on this page. Further information on the situation in the Netherlands can be found on the website of the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (in Dutch) and for Belgium on the Sciensano website (in Dutch).
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Outbreak of bluetongue serotype 3 in the Netherlands - possible cases in Germany
Dutch veterinarians observed clinical signs of bluetongue (BTV) in sheep on five farms in the provinces of Noord-Holland and Utrecht on 3 and 4 September. On 5 September, the Dutch reference laboratory (WBVR) confirmed bluetongue on four of the five farms and identified serotype 3 (BTV-3). More than 40 farms are now affected, mostly sheep farms. The Dutch government initiated measures such as the closure of the affected farms and outbreak investigations.
Due to the dynamics of the event, with a large number of new outbreaks, there is a risk that German farms may also be affected. Therefore, small ruminants and cattle showing clinical signs typical of BTV should be tested for infection.
High fever (up to 42°C), swollen tongues, reluctance to eat, salivation and lethargic to moribund behaviour have been observed in some affected sheep. As the disease progressed, lesions in the mouth and tongue were also reported, as well as deaths.
The whole of the Netherlands has lost its BTV-free status. This means that cattle, sheep and goats from the Netherlands can only be moved within the EU in accordance with the measures laid down in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 (in german language).
Since 2014, Bluetongue disease, serotype 4 (BTV-4) has spread from Greece across the Balkan states in a northwestern direction. In late 2015/early 2016, cases of the disease were detected in Austria. In 2016, mainly Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia were affected. Some of the cases in Northern Italy, where the disease mainly affected cattle and sheep but also individual goat and mouflon holdings, were detected less than 150 km away from the German border. In June 2017, six BTV-4 outbreaks and two BTV-1 outbreaks were reported in Italy.
In France, Bluetongue disease, serotype 8 (BTV-8) has been circulating since August 2015. In autumn 2016, the number of reported BT cases increased further and the affected area expanded. BTV-8 in France is still detectable less than 150 km away from the German border and thus continues to represent a threat for Germany.
Based on past experiences it must be expected that the number of cases will re-increase over the next few months, although currently the number of outbreaks is low. The next few months (in particular August, September and October) will show how the situation in France and Italy will develop.
Table 1: Outbreaks bluetongue disease in 2017
(Source: ADNS, last updated: 28.06.2017–09:15 h)
| Month | France | Italy | Portugal | Croatia | Spane | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 252 | 36 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 293 |
| 2 | 186 | 29 | 215 | |||
| 3 | 141 | 23 | 164 | |||
| 4 | 56 | 13 | 69 | |||
| 5 | 19 | 9 | 28 | |||
| 6 | 3 | 8 | 11 | |||
| Total | 657 | 118 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 780 |
Consequences for Germany
Although the current BTV-8 and BTV-4 epidemics are characterized by only mild symptoms of disease, clinical surveillance is important for early detection. The following symptoms are possible: fever, inflammation of mucous membranes, ulcers and necroses of the skin and oral mucosa, lips, nose, teats and udder, edema of the head and extremities as well as respiratory disorders. When any of these symptoms are observed, animal holders should contact their veterinarian without delay.
As Bluetongue disease has moved closer to Germany and can lead to severe disease and death particularly in sheep and goats, immunization of susceptible animals against BTV-8 and BTV-4 is recommended. Some federal states subsidize vaccination against Bluetongue disease.
The Standing Committee on Vaccination in Veterinary Medicine has issued a vaccination recommendation on Feb. 2, 2016.
January 2017
Since 2014, Bluetongue disease, serotype 4 (BTV-4) has spread from Greece to the Balkans towards the Northwest. In late 2015 and early 2016 cases were detected in Austria. So far, in 2016 mainly Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia have been affected. Some of the cases in Northern Italy, which affected mainly cattle and sheep, but also individual goat and mouflon holdings, are only less than 150 km away from the German border.
In France, Bluetongue disease serotype 8 (BTV-8) has been circulating since August 2015. In autumn 2016, the number of reported BT cases increased again strongly and the affected area expanded. Meanwhile some of the reported cases are only 150 km away from the German border (see map).
Consequences for Germany
Although the current epidemics of BTV-8 and BTV-4 go along with less severe symptoms of disease, clinical surveillance is important for early detection. The following symptoms are possible: fever, mucosal inflammation, ulcers and necrosis of the skin and oral mucosa, lips, nose, teats and udder, edema of the head and extremities and respiratory dysfunction. If animal holders observe any of these symptoms, they should contact their veterinarian without delay.
As Bluetongue disease has spread further towards Germany and the animal disease can lead to severe illness and death, particularly in sheep and goats, animal holders should vaccinate susceptible animals against BTV-8 and BTV-4. In some federal states vaccination against Bluetongue disease is subsidized.
The Standing Committee on Vaccination in Veterinary Medicine has issued a vaccination recommendation on February 2, 2016. (in German language only)
Risk Assessment on the Introduction of Bluetongue Disease, Serotype 4, last updated November 2015
In addition to recent developments in the spread of BTV serotype 4, the updated qualitative risk assessment on the introduction of bluetongue disease also includes serotype 8 outbreaks in France. Furthermore, the FLI has published recommendations for an increased surveillance of bluetongue disease.
Bluetongue virus (BT) of the serotype 4 (BTV4) currently circulating in Southeastern Europe continues to spread northwards, however more slowly than in the previous year. Since September 2014, Hungary has been reporting cases of BT caused by the same virus strain that is circulating in Greece and Romania. In November 2015, BT was detected in Austria, for the first time in the last seven years. The virus also belongs to serotype 4. A BT outbreak has also been reported from Slovenia in close vicinity to the Austrian border. Currently (30 November 2015) the 150 km restriction zones end at a distance of 80 km from the German border (one year ago the distance was still 400 km). In addition, BTV-4 infections have been detected in particular in Italy; the virus type however is not identical with the one circulating in the Balkan states.
In September 2015, BTV-8 re-occurred in Central France for the first time since 2010 and spread over a large area. To date, 90 outbreaks have been reported. The restriction zones end at a distance of approx. 100 km from the German border (30 November 2015).
There is a risk of introduction for BTV-4 and BTV-8 into Germany
- by the wind-borne spread of infected live vectors,
- by introduction of infected vectors through trade and traffic and
- by trade with susceptible animals, sperm, embryos and egg cells
Due to the rapid spread of the virus in Southeastern Europe the risk of introduction by live vectors in the upcoming biting midge season is assessed as likely to high.
In the exposure estimation the risk of introduction by live vectors is assessed as high, for all other introduction routes as low.
The consequence estimation shows a high risk, as both BTV-4 and BTV-8 hit an unprotected population and cause severe economic damages and considerable suffering to animals.
In addition to the legally required measures, vaccination is an option. However a vaccination programme can cause considerable costs and is only suitable to prevent a spread of bluetongue disease if vaccination coverage is adequately high.