Publications by authors named "M Spierenburg"
Bluetongue (BT) is a viral vector borne disease primarily affecting ruminants such as sheep, cattle, and goats. On 3 September 2023, the Netherlands reported the first case of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3/NET2023)), after being BTV free for eleven years. Vaccination with inactivated BT vaccines for serotype 3 has been applied in the Netherlands since May 2024.
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- In 2023, an outbreak of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) in the Netherlands severely affected ruminants, particularly causing clinical signs and mortality in sheep.
- Data from monitoring systems showed BTV-3 infections confirmed in multiple animal species, with sheep experiencing the most severe effects.
- The study suggests that BTV-3 might persist through winter, emphasizing the need for effective vaccines to mitigate future outbreaks.
Article Synopsis
- In September 2023, the bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) outbreak in the Netherlands affected over 5,000 livestock farms, leading to unusually high rates of sickness and death in sheep compared to past outbreaks.
- The study analyzed livestock movement and BTV-3 notification data from 2020 to 2023 to measure the virus's impact on sheep and goats, revealing significant increases in mortality rates during the outbreak.
- Notably, mortality in infected areas surged 4.2 times for lambs and 4.6 times for adult sheep, with confirmed cases showing even higher rates, while around 4,000 additional goat deaths were also reported.
Article Synopsis
- * The Netherlands was declared free of BTV in February 2012, but new cases were detected in September 2023, confirmed as serotype 3.
- * The source of this latest infection is unknown, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and new prevention strategies to control BTV spread in the region.
A devastating bluetongue (BT) epidemic caused by bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) has spread throughout most of the Netherlands within two months since the first infection was officially confirmed in the beginning of September 2023. The epidemic comes with unusually strong suffering of infected cattle through severe lameness, often resulting in mortality or euthanisation for welfare reasons. In total, tens of thousands of sheep have died or had to be euthanised.
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