The General Directorate of Food and Veterinary Medicine (DGAV) temporarily authorized three drugs against bluetongue, two of which are not yet available on the market, it was announced.
“HE DGAV authorized the temporary use of veterinary medicines — Bluevac 3 injectable suspension for cattle and sheep, Bultavo 3 injectable suspension for sheep and cattle and Syvazul BTV 3 injectable suspension for sheep and cattle,” reads a technical clarification from the DGAV.
The first and last medicine are not yet available for sale in the national market.
Bluetongue virus serotypes three and four have already reached all districts of mainland Portugalonly Madeira and the Azores are free of the disease.
The bluetongue or bluetongue is a Notifiable viral disease that affects ruminants and is not transmissible to humans.
Three bluetongue serotypes circulate in Portugal: BTV-4, which appeared for the first time in 2004 and was detected again in 2013 and 2023, BTV-1, identified in 2007, with outbreaks until 2021, and BTV-3 , detected for the first time on September 13.
Vaccination of sheep and cattle against serotypes one and four is mandatory. Only against serotype three is it allowed.
Regarding serotype three, the latest data, reported last week, indicate that 41 affected livestock farms and 102 animals were registered, with no mortality.
In the case of Sheep, there are 238 farms, 11,934 animals affected and 1,775 deads.
By districts, Évora stands out, with 90 affected farms, and Beja, with 76, followed by Setúbal (48) and Portalegre (20).
The Ministry of Agriculture is preparing to reinforce support for producer organizations against bluetongue disease and will invest in a disinfestation plan to stop the spread, he told Lusa.
In addition to reinforcing the annual subsidy given to producer organizations, Luís Montenegro’s executive will invest in a national pest control plan to stop the spread of the transmitting vector and the disease.
The ministry headed by José Manuel Fernandes stated that this plan will prevent the spread of bluetongue serotype three, but also other diseases transmitted by insects, such as bovine hemorrhagic disease.
The Government has not revealed when this plan will move forward.
Source: Observadora
