Germany: State of Hesse calls for vaccination against bluetongue disease
The Hessian Ministry of Agriculture has called on sheep and cattle farmers to have their stocks vaccinated against bluetongue disease. After the first case in Hesse in the Vogelsberg district two and a half weeks ago and further outbreaks in neighboring countries, this is the "order of the day". Vaccination against bluetongue disease offers the only reliable protection against a serious clinical course and losses.
Recently, numerous outbreaks have been identified, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia, including in Höxter and Soest near the Hessian state border. It is therefore to be feared that outbreaks could soon increase in Hesse as well. The first suspected case is currently in the district of Kassel.
Last month, Hesse approved vaccination against bluetongue disease for ruminants. However, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, demand has been very low so far. The state, together with the Hessian Animal Disease Fund, is also providing a subsidy of two euros per vaccination dose for sheep and goats and three euros per vaccination dose for cattle. To build up effective vaccination protection for the animal, cattle must be given two vaccination doses around three weeks apart. For sheep and goats, one vaccination is sufficient. Effective vaccination protection is achieved after three weeks. Around 400,000 cattle and 165,000 sheep are kept in Hesse.
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