Dutch identify bluetongue variant in livestock

No vaccine available

14 October 2024

Animal health authorities in the Netherlands have discovered infections in livestock of a bluetongue variant, BTV12, for which no vaccine is available, Reuters reported, citing the Dutch government on Friday.

The cases were found in a sheep and a cow and its calf at two farms in the centre of the Netherlands on Thursday.

Bluetongue can be deadly for domestic ruminants such as sheep,cattle and goats. 

A new variant of the disease, BTV3, has been circulating in Europe since late last year, leading to vaccination campaigns in affected countries, including France and the Netherlands.

The Dutch agriculture ministry said the BTV12 variant had been found previously in countries outside Europe, but that these were the first known cases in the Netherlands.

It said it was too early to say whether a new vaccine was needed, but added it had informed vaccine producers of the cases.