Blue disease discovered for the first time in Upper Austria: what now?

Blue disease discovered for the first time in Upper Austria: what now?

In Upper Austria, there is now an initial evidence of blue -tongue disease. This viral disease, which mainly affects cattle, sheep and goats, was found in the Steyr-Land district and is an important event for the region's agriculture. The blue-tongue virus, serotype 4 (BTV-4), was found in a routine blood test in two different companies. Interestingly, the tested cattle were clinically healthy, which means that they do not show any striking symptoms of illness.

The blue -tongue disease is transferred by Gnitzen, a kind of small mosquito mosquitos. It is widespread worldwide, which is likely to make spread within the affected areas. For humans, this disease is not a danger, but the effects on cattle breeding could be significant if the virus spreads further.

background to blue -tongue disease

Since September last year, two different serotypes of blue -fuel disease have been registered in the western and southern federal states in Austria. The health authorities carry out strict surveillance programs in order to recognize attacks at an early stage. Thanks to these measures, the current case in Upper Austria was quickly identified. The animals are monitored by regular blood tests, which make it possible to identify asymptomatic cases and to act accordingly.

This form of surveillance is particularly important because the symptoms of the disease are not always obvious. As a rule, affected animals show a variety of clinical signs that can range from fever, inflammation to problems when eating. In this special case, however, the examination went without any recognizable symptoms.

farmers and pet owners in Upper Austria are asked to pay special attention to their animals and to report any changes in health immediately. The affected businesses are supported by the veterinary authorities and receive the necessary information on prevention and protecting their stocks.

The pandemic nature of the transmission by insects is a challenge. While temperatures and weather conditions can cause fluctuations in mosquito population, it is important that animal husbandry in the region is informed and prepared. The authorities emphasize that preventive measures are the key to avoid spreading the blue -tongue disease and protect the health of the cattle stock.

For further information and detailed reports on the current developments on the blue-tongue disease, interested parties can report the reporting on bauernzeitung.at consult.