Number of Dutch farms touched by deadly sheep disease doubles

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2006

THE HAGUE (AFP) — The number of Dutch farms infected with bluetongue, a disease that is deadly for sheep, has more than doubled in the past month, the authorities here said. "In total 434 farms are now infected," the agriculture minister said in a statement. On October 13 the number of infected farms stood at 206.

A large security zone is already in force in the southern Netherlands. The ministry has also enforced restrictions on the transportation of ruminants (sheep, cows and goats) to areas that are not yet infected and has ordered farmers to treat all their cattle with insecticide. Bluetongue is a non-contagious, insect-transmitted, viral disease of sheep, which is not known to affect humans. Other animals such as cows and goats can carry the disease but will not get...