According to a VNA correspondent in Belgium, bluetongue, a mosquito-borne disease, is causing severe damage to livestock in Belgium, especially sheep in the Wallonia region.
The disease has quickly spread to neighboring countries and threatens the livestock industry in the region.
Bluetongue first appeared in the Netherlands in late 2023, and has quickly spread to Germany, the UK, Flanders and now Wallonia in Belgium. According to Thomas Demonty of the Wallonia Agricultural Federation, the province of Liège is the most affected.
The hot and humid weather has created favorable conditions for the development of mosquitoes, which transmit the disease. Wind also contributes to the spread. The authorities have just detected outbreaks in Hainaut, especially in Chimay.
Since the first outbreak appeared in Flanders, the disease has been relatively controlled. Low temperatures and rain in recent months have helped prevent the disease from spreading and affecting Wallonia. But now the weather has turned hot and humid, causing the disease to spread, with the provinces of Liège and Hainaut being the worst affected areas. Some farmers have lost more than 30% of their sheep. Given the difficulty in controlling the spread, the Federal Food Safety Authority (AFSCA) recommends vaccinating livestock to reduce the severity of symptoms.
Although the vaccine has been introduced, the delay in its implementation has resulted in heavy losses in many flocks. Mr Demonty said the vaccine is only available between mid-May and June when many animals are out in the fields.
The vaccine is expensive and not yet subsidized by the government. However, farmers are forced to vaccinate their livestock to minimize losses.
Concerned about the epidemic situation in Belgium, France has imposed restrictions on the transport of livestock in areas near the Belgian border. Livestock must be quarantined and sprayed with disinfectant before being transported.
Bluetongue not only causes high mortality rates in sheep but also affects the productivity of livestock. This causes great economic losses to livestock farmers and threatens food security.
Huong Giang
Source: VNA