France Battles New Bluetongue Virus Outbreaks in Livestock

France has detected new outbreaks of the BTV3 bluetongue virus in ruminants in northern Europe. The farm ministry is accelerating and expanding the vaccination campaign, increasing free vaccines to 6.4 million doses, to prevent the virus from spreading further among sheep, cattle, and goats.

France has identified new outbreaks of the BTV3 bluetongue virus among ruminants in northern Europe. The discovery has prompted the farm ministry to speed up and broaden a vaccination campaign in the affected region.

The first outbreak in France this week was reported at a sheep farm close to the Belgian border. The virus, which is transmitted by insects and poses a lethal threat to sheep, cattle, and goats, had been spreading in the Netherlands, northern Belgium, and western Germany since late last year.

In response, France has increased the number of free vaccines available to farmers to 6.4 million doses. This includes 1.1 million doses allocated for sheep and 5.3 million doses for cattle, up from the previously planned 4.6 million doses. The vaccines will be accessible starting Monday, with an earlier start than the initially planned Wednesday launch.

(With inputs from agencies.)