BLUE TONGUE CLOSED LIVESTOCK MARKETS IN SOUTH SERBIA

24. October 2014.

Beograd – The Republican Veterinary Inspection ordered the closure of livestock markets in Vranje, Bosilegrad, Trgoviste and Vladicin Han because of the emergence of the “blue tongue” viral infection of cattle.

“Around one hundred sheep, goats and cattle suffering from “blue tongue” were reported in the aforementioned municipalities, whereas around 40 of them died,” said Dejan Trickovic, Assistant Director of the Veterinary Station in Vranje.

“We haven’t had any cases of “blue tongue” in Presevo, Bujanovac and Surdulica and I expect that the disease will begin to wane because weather conditions aren’t conducive to mosquitoes, which are carriers of the disease,” said Mr. Trickovic.

He pointed out that the “blue tongue” disease wasn’t transmitted from animals to humans and that it wasn’t dangerous to humans, but that it caused great damage to cattle-breeders. According to Mr. Trickovic, the number of animals affected by bluetongue is higher than the official figures show.

Source: Beta News Agency and Coordination Body