A draft regulation on bluetongue has been published on the website of the Government Legislation Center. The regulations include, among other things, introducing restrictions on the movement of cows, sheep and goats.
This is a draft regulation of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on measures taken in connection with the occurrence of bluetongue virus infection.
As written, the regulation is intended to prevent the spread of the bluetongue virus (BTV), a case of which was registered at the plant in Rajczyn in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship.
Restricted area
It is indicated that the territory within a radius of 150 km from the infected establishment is considered a restricted area where specific measures are introduced with regard to the movement of animals and biological material.
One of the conditions for movement – as indicated in the project – “is obtaining a negative result of a laboratory test using the serological method. If positive results of serological tests are obtained, a laboratory test using the PCR method is performed on suspicion. Animals that have obtained a negative result of the PCR test meet the conditions for movement. “.
Bluetongue disease
Bluetongue is an infectious disease of ruminants, both domestic and wild (cattle, sheep and goats, but also roe deer, elks, African antelopes, camels, elephants). It is caused by a virus of the Orbivirus genus (Reoviridae).
Animals do not become infected directly from each other, but only through piercing-sucking insects from the order of flies, the genus Culicoides, and through blood or semen. The disease does not pose a threat to humans.
The proposed regulation is to enter into force on the day following its announcement.
The first outbreak of the disease in Poland
A few days ago, the Chief Veterinary Officer announced in a statement that the first outbreak of bluetongue disease in Poland was detected on November 22 this year. on a farm keeping beef cattle in Wołów County, Lower Silesia Voivodeship.
The disease was suspected after obtaining the results of laboratory tests performed as part of monitoring tests pursuant to the regulation of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The proposed regulation is to enter into force on the day following its announcement.
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