Animals Aargau: First cases of bluetongue disease in sheep and cattle

In the canton of Aargau, bluetongue has been detected in one cattle farm and three sheep farms. According to the canton, the pathogen was detected in six animals. Five sheep died.

The cantonal veterinary service has closed the affected livestock farms to animal traffic in order to prevent the spread of the disease, the State Chancellery of Aargau announced on Tuesday.

Bluetongue is a notifiable animal disease according to the Animal Diseases Ordinance. It is caused by viruses that are transmitted to the animal via the bite of midges (small mosquitoes). There is no infection from farm animal to farm animal.

If infected animals are bitten, the midges can infect other animals. Affected livestock owners of cattle and sheep must therefore also take measures to reduce mosquito infestation, as explained by the veterinary service.

Animal disease is spreading

If animal keepers notice suspicious symptoms, they must contact a vet immediately. The pathogen is not dangerous to humans. Meat and dairy products from affected animals can be consumed without hesitation.

For the first time since 2020, cases of bluetongue have occurred again in Switzerland in recent weeks. So far, the cantons of Bern, Lucerne, Solothurn, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Schaffhausen, Thurgau, Vaud and Jura have been affected. Now the animal disease has also reached Aargau. The pathogen was detected in six animals on four farms.

SDA