Bluetongue vaccination rules change in Belgium

//28 Feb 2011
Belgium will amend the rules regarding vaccination against the disease bluetongue, making it a voluntary decision instead of a compulsory act.
Animals intended for export still require vaccination, depending on the rules of the country where the animals are transported. In addition, it was also decided that the veterinarian can leave the vaccination up to the farmer, but only if a veterinary agreement has been made between the veterinarian and the farmer.

Till the new decision comes into force, vaccination against bluetongue is still mandatory and needs to be carried out by the veterinarian only. The veterinarian is also not allowed to provide the vaccine to the farmer.

Bluetongue virus
The bluetongue virus (BTV) is present in a broad band of countries extending approximately between 40°N and 35°S. The bluetongue virus has been shown by serology to be present in regions where the Culicoides is present (e.g. Africa, the Americas, Australia, the Middle East and some countries of southern Asia and Oceania).

The bluetongue situation in the European Union has considerably changed in recent times with incursions of new serotypes, namely of serotype 8 (in an area of the Community where outbreaks have never been reported before and which was not considered at risk of bluetongue) and also of serotype 1 of that virus on southern Europe.

Bluetongue can cause spectacular disease outbreaks and is an OIE (Office International des Epizooties) listed disease. In August and September 2006 BTV was diagnosed in The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and France for the first time. The virus isolated was BTV serotype 8, a serotype not previously detected in Europe. The summer of 2007 also saw the emergence of a new BTV isolate in Southern Europe, BTV serotype 1.