United States: Denmark has already reported some of the cases of bluetongue, a virus that affects animals like sheep, cows, and goats but doesn’t harm people. This virus, called BTV-3, is spread by tiny insects called midges. Recently, BTV-3 has been moving up through Europe, and the insects that carry it are more common in warm weather.
Regional Spread and Initial Cases
As reported by the US News, it has been reported on the island where the Copenhagen is situated, and the cases have also been reported in the Germany the Netherlands and the France and also the Danish authorities.
Also the first case in Denmark was recorded in the early times of the month of August on a Danish farm with a sheep and the cows which are close to the German Border and the Danish Authorities have also informed the European Commission about the case and the animals have since been vaccinated and also try and contain the spread.
Ongoing Investigations and Findings
The Danish and the veterinary and Food Administration said tests are upcoming form the island of the Funen in the central Denmark where it has been already suspected.
The administration also explained its findings in this way: “The likelihood of the virus passing through mites to the rest of the country is therefore deemed as high.”
Impact on Livestock and Milk Safety
The major outward symptoms in animals are and include high fever, inflammation of the mouth and the face and tongue as well as cyanosis, a bluish tinge of the tongue due to insufficient oxygen. Likewise, sheep, cattle and goats are also known to have problems in their breathing systems.
Infected animals produce low quantity of milk, but the milk is not poisonous for human consumption as officials said.