Berlin - German officials said Monday they were bulldozing
through plans to inoculate farm animals against bluetongue disease,
which is common in Mediterranean countries and has been spreading
north.
The central state of Hesse has placed a binding order for 21
million vaccination doses to be distributed to all 16 states, without
waiting for federal regulatory approval for the substance.
Hesse will pay about 17 million euros to the three manufacturers,
the state environment minister, Wilhelm Dietzel, said in Wiesbaden.
Federal agriculture official Gerd Mueller said in February Germany
expected the vaccine for cattle, sheep and goats to win regulatory
approval in May after test animals had been observed for any ill
effects.
The viral disease hit 20,479 animals last year.
Bluetongue virus is transferred by midges. The disease is not
dangerous to humans, who can eat meat and milk from infected animals
without risk, but kills about 20 per cent of the animals it infects.
Berlin will now be pressed to pass an instant clearance for the
vaccine in May so that innoculations can proceed.
Seb SchäferMar 31st, 2008 - 20:04:28
just one correction: Bluetongue did kill at least 100.000 animals in Germany-correct figures have not yet been published. The number quoted is the number of premisses with cases of bluetongue desease.
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