Pregnant Cows Importing Bluetongue
UK - Scientists are warning farmers to be extra careful when importing cattle this year, as the dangers of bluetongue threatens to reach new areas.
11 July 2008
1 minute read
According to Farmers Guardian they have now concluded that the bluetongue virus can pass across the placenta and infect unborn calves. This raises the risk that stock imported from the continent could bring the disease with it regardless of it having tested negative for the virus.
The most recent report from Belgium concluded that trans-placental transmission occurs ‘frequently’ in cattle, although there is still no conclusive evidence to demonstrate this happening in sheep.
Researchers discovered in a study of 54 calves on 20 farms that nearly a third had contracted the disease across the placenta.
The findings adds to data received from Ireland in February when a pregnant dam, which had tested negative for the virus, gave birth to infected calves.
Further Reading
 |
- | You can visit our Bluetongue information page by clicking here. |
TheCattleSite News Desk
