Over 100 farms hit by Bluetongue disease
Wednesday 08 August 2007
The Bluetongue virus has spread to the provinces of Overijssel and Utrecht with the total number of farms affected up to 117 since the new outbreak of the disease was first identified in the Netherlands less than two weeks ago, reports ANP news agency.
The disease, which originates from southern Europe and Africa, his carried by insects and affects sheep, goats and cattle.
The first large-scale outbreak of Bluetongue in the Netherlands was last year when around 400 farms were hit. Measures to prevent the spread of the disease into the Netherlands from France and Germany were relaxed in April.
Animals infected by Bluetongue develop a high fever, excessive salivation and the swelling of the face and tongue. The disease does not affect humans.
© DutchNews.nl
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