France extends bluetongue vaccination for ruminants after outbreaks
France to give farmers 6.4 million free doses
12 August 2024
1 minute read
By: France detected two new outbreaks of a new variant of bluetongue virus circulating in ruminants in northern Europe, prompting it to speed up and extend a vaccination campaign in the region, Reuters reported, citing the farm ministry on Friday.
France reported a first outbreak of the BTV3 bluetongue disease on a sheep farm near the Belgian border earlier this week.
The virus, spread by insects and which can be deadly for sheep, cattle and goats, has been circulating in the Netherlands, northern Belgium and western Germany since late last year.
France increased the number of vaccines that will be given for free to farmers to 6.4 million doses, including 1.1 million for sheep and 5.3 million doses for cattle, from a total of 4.6 million doses previously.
The vaccines will be available from Monday. The ministry had initially mentioned Wednesday as the start of the campaign.
