Bluetongue is topical again
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25.9.2024
In connection with topicality of bluetongue (BT) in the Czech Republic, we asked Director of the State Veterinary Administration (SVS), DVM. Zbyněk Semerád, for an interview
Mr. Semerád, what is the current situation with BT in Europe, or in which European countries the new BTV3 strain has been diagnosed. Does this strain differ in any fundamental way in terms of pathogenicity compared to other strains?
In 2024, we have registered this strain in France, Germany, Denmark, Luxembourg, Sweden, Portugal and in Austria. In 2023, this BTV 3 strain has spread in Belgium, the Netherlands and part of Germany. In Spain, BTV 4, BTV 8 and BTV 1 strains were diagnosed in 2024, BTV 8 in Andorra, BTV 8 in Italy and BTV 4 in Austria, in addition to BTV 3. For the sake of interest, I would like to mention that in Europe we have also registered outbreaks in the western part of Great Britain, Norway and Switzerland. According to the references, the BTV 3 strain seems to be more aggressive with higher morbidity in the herds, and we have encountered higher mortality in sheep.
What is the current situation in the Czech Republic, in which districts was positive detection of BT on 24 September?
On 24 September, the State Veterinary Administration has registered in total 25 outbreaks of BT infection, but we are investigating more outbreaks. In these cases, the SVA orders extraordinary veterinary measures to avoid spread of the dangerous BT disease in the territory of the Czech Republic.
EU legislation stipulates that the area with the radius of 150 km must be defined around BT outbreaks. This area is territorially defined in the Czech Republic as the so-called BT zone by the emergency veterinary measures issued by the SVA (see the map below). The restriction applies to movement of BT-susceptible animals (cattle, sheep and goats, camelids, cervids and some other ungulates) from this demarcated area. This area is larger due to the fact that this infection is transmitted by the insects - biting midges of Culicoides species. These carriers occur in the Czech Republic. Details of the area can be seen on the map below.
Could you please summarize the measures ordered by the SVS?
Breeders of cattle, sheep, goats and other animal species susceptible to bluetongue are ordered
in case of relocation of the animals outside the defined area in the territory of the Czech Republic - other than those transferred directly to the slaughterhouse, the following conditions have to be met, either:
1.
I. Protect the animals from attacks of biting midges of Culicoides species (hereinafter referred to as "vectors") by means of insecticides or repellents for the period of at least 14 days before the date of relocation, which fact has to be recorded in the breeder's register, i.e. use of veterinary medicines and medicinal products; as the insecticide and repellent the following may be used:
only the veterinary medicinal product or biocide listed at the following link on the website of the State Veterinary Administration of the Czech Republic:
https://www.svscr.cz/kataralni-horecka-ovci-aktualni-informace/
II. The animals have been subjected to a negative PCR test during this period, which test was performed on the samples taken at least 14 days after the date of onset of protection from attacks of vectors;
III. Samples must be taken by a private veterinarian approved by the locally competent Regional Veterinary Administration (KVS) for the activities according to sec. 61 (5) of the Veterinary Act,
IV. Samples must be examined at the State Veterinary Institute,
V. The animals must be accompanied by a veterinary certificate issued by the locally competent KVS. The application for issuance of the veterinary certificate must be delivered to the KVS 3 days before transfer of the animals. The breeder is obliged to submit the KVS/SVS protocol with a negative result of the laboratory examination for BT by PCR method. Result of the PCR test is valid for 10 days from the date of sampling
and/or
2.
The animals have been vaccinated against BT, serotype 3, and are in the period of immunity guaranteed by the vaccine specifications; and
I. were vaccinated more than 60 days prior to the date of transfer, or
II. have undergone a PCR test with negative results on the samples taken at least 14 days after the onset of immunity as stipulated in the vaccine specifications.
Do the measures differ in cattle and sheep?
The measures are de facto the same. I would only pinpoint the time of onset of immunity, which in sheep is 21 days after vaccination, while in cattle we have to consider vaccination + revaccination in three weeks, after which the animal is in immunity for three weeks, so no earlier than 42 days after the first vaccination.
Is any of the ordered measures paid by the state?
At present, the state only covers the costs and losses in the outbreak of the disease within the framework of the emergency veterinary measures issued by the KVS.
Is it expected that BT would be the integral part of the Methodology for Animal Health Control and Mandatory Vaccination for 2025?
The methodology for next year does not consider reimbursement of vaccination, but we will continue with extended serological monitoring in cattle and, moreover, we have to perform entomological monitoring in order to determine the period without activity of the biting midges.
Would you recommend any other practical measures to avoid or prevent spread of the disease?
Definitely the preventive use of repellents and approved insecticidal products. The list of recommended products can be found on the SVS website. For myself, I can recommend vaccination of healthy animals in the herd of both the cattle and especially the sheep, where even animal deaths are revealed this year.
For this way vaccinated animals it is the best way to protect them. I can see the only problem, namely transfer of animals vaccinated with an unregistered vaccine outside the territory of the Czech Republic, where the state can stipulate within the import conditions that the vaccine used to immunize the animals must be registered in the relevant EU Member State, and this can be a problem in certain cases. It is then up to each breeder to decide how to approach the problem.
Thank you for the interview.
Asking about experience with solution of BT disease:
DVM. Martin Vodinský, Marketing Department of Bioveta a.s.
