EU and Member States Combat Resurgence of Animal Diseases: Key Actions and Strategies
Animal Diseases Resurgence in the EU: A Summer of Concern for Livestock Sector
This summer, several animal diseases have resurfaced across the European Union, leading authorities to implement transport restrictions and necessitate the culling of thousands of livestock. These developments have resulted in significant financial losses for farmers and raised concerns regarding the potential impact on the EU’s agricultural exports.
Goat Plague Outbreak
Since mid-July, Greece and Romania have been grappling with Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), commonly known as goat plague, a severe viral disease impacting sheep and goats. On August 20, the European Commission declared restricted zones to contain the virus’s spread, with Greece and Romania among the EU’s largest goat producers, alongside France and Spain.
Under EU safety measures, entire herds are culled when infections are found. In Greece alone, more than 18,000 animals have been destroyed, while Romania has seen over 200,000 goats culled. The national ban on sheep and goat exports remains in effect for both Greece and Romania, despite restrictions currently only being applied to affected areas.
Rise of African Swine Fever
African Swine Fever (ASF), a highly contagious and lethal virus for pigs, has experienced a resurgence in August, with new outbreaks reported in Germany, Poland, and Italy. On August 20, the European Commission proposed stricter measures for Germany’s Baden-Württemberg region due to new cases in farmed pigs.
2023 marked the highest number of ASF outbreaks recorded within the EU since the disease first emerged in 2014, with Croatia and Romania accounting for a staggering 96% of reported cases. There remains no vaccine or treatment for ASF, which has severely affected the EU’s pork industry, especially following China’s ban on pork imports from Germany.
Avian Flu Detections
In August, France reported two new cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), after witnessing a devastating epidemic that saw millions of birds culled during the 2021-2022 season. The first case of HPAI since January was detected on August 13 at a poultry farm in Ille-et-Vilaine, followed by another case on August 20 at a turkey farm in Morbihan.
Portugal also recorded its first bird flu outbreak since 2022 after a wild gull tested positive for the virus. Although the overall number of cases in Europe remains low since the 2019-2020 season, the virus continues to be monitored closely, with authorities recommending enhanced surveillance.
Emergence of Bluetongue Virus
The bluetongue virus (BTV) has gained attention recently with the detection of BTV serotype 3 (BTV-3) cases in France, Luxembourg, and Denmark. After experiencing a surge in BTV-3 cases since the beginning of summer, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany have also reported outbreaks.
BTV is transmitted through insect vectors and primarily affects ruminants such as sheep and cattle. To combat this, the Netherlands has authorized emergency use of three new vaccines, while France has initiated a voluntary vaccination program, providing millions of doses for free to livestock owners in affected regions.
Concerns Over Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease
This summer, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) has also raised alarms among livestock farmers, particularly in France where the first outbreak was recorded last year. Over 4,000 outbreaks have been documented recently, with authorities warning that the virus could easily cross borders into Belgium.
Spain has reported increased cases in the north, prompting calls for more funding to mitigate economic impacts. In July, Madrid approved the use of the first vaccine against EHDV-8, developed domestically.
The ongoing situation highlights the need for vigilance in the livestock sector as these animal diseases threaten both animal health and agricultural productivity across the EU.
John Peterson graduated with a degree in Agricultural Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. His specialization is in sustainable crop production and soil health management. John is passionate about integrating modern technology with traditional farming methods to enhance productivity while preserving the environment. He currently works as a consultant, helping farmers adopt sustainable practices.