Sweden keeps restrictions unchanged after second bluetongue case

Health News

Sep 11, 2008, 13:01 GMT

Stockholm - New finds of a livestock disease known as bluetongue do not give reason to extend current restrictions in south- western Sweden, Swedish authorities said Thursday. The National Board of Agriculture said eight cases have been detected on two neighbouring farms in Halland. Two cows tested positive for bluetongue disease over the weekend, sparking a series of measures including a ban of all transport of cattle, goats, sheep, and deer from a 20-kilometre zone around the afflicted farms. So far some 7,000 head of cattle and other livestock have been vaccinated in the restrictive zone. Hakan Henrikson who is coordinating the vaccination and testing programme said it was working 'according to plan' and lauded the cooperation with the Swedish Dairy Association and voluntary groups. The insect-borne viral fever affects livestock, but does not transmit to humans and cannot be spread through milk or meat. A second protective zone, with a radius of 150 kilometres from the afflicted farms, was also introduced. No animals were allowed to be transported out of the zone but the agency said it would permit transports within it. The agency said it could in certain cases allow direct transports of livestock for slaughter. A hotline has been set up for farmers wanting advice or more information about bluetongue, and efforts were coordinated with the county administrative board of Halland.

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Sweden keeps restrictions unchanged after second bluetongue case

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