Number of animals dead from bluetongue in north rises to 193

The number of animals that have died in an outbreak of bluetongue disease in north Cyprus has risen to 193, with it now having been detected in 133 farms, the north’s ‘agriculture ministry’ said on Thursday.

It has been detected near the villages of Iskele and Vadili, while “necessary measures have been taken in businesses and regions where the disease has been detected to prevent its spread,” the ‘ministry’ said.

It added that the disease is “difficult to control due to the large number of potential hosts”, and that “restricting the movement of affected animals can reduce the spread of the disease, but it is not completely effective.”

There is a vaccine against some forms of the virus, but there is no cross-protection between different forms. “Controlling flies is critical to controlling the disease. Producers can take precautions by spraying flies, especially in manure areas and around their farms,” it added.

It said the disease had first been detected in cattle farms near Famagusta, Lefke, and Kapaz, and that laboratory samples of the affected animals were taken.

To this end, it said “the relevant European Union reference laboratory was contacted to determine the form of bluetongue” which had “caused the epidemic”, and that the process of sending samples to the EU’s laboratories is now underway.

On the ground, it said it is now working together with municipalities in the north to reduce the number of flies present and added that “all municipalities have been informed about the disease and about the methods to control it”.

Additionally, it said, insecticides have been distributed to the affected farms.

“Bluetongue disease causes an epidemic in [the north] every three or four years, typically though flies carried by winds from Africa and the Middle East. The disease, which is not normally seen in the northern hemisphere, has started to be seen in European countries as flies migrate north due to global warming,” it said.

With this in mind, it added that outbreaks have been reported in “many European countries”, including the United Kingdom, Denmark, Greece, and Turkey.

The alarm over the disease was initially raised on Wednesday by the TRNC’s animal producers’ and breeders’ union chairman Mustafa Naimogullari.

He said the disease “is bringing sheep and goat farmers to their knees” and has now spread to farms from Karpaz all the way to Lefkosa.”

Bluetongue disease is transmitted by insects and primarily affects sheep and, less commonly, cattle. Characteristic symptoms include fever, swelling around the face and lips, and in severe cases, blue discolouration of the tongue due to a lack of oxygen.

The disease is not directly a threat to human health, though the increased animal mortality rate it brings about tends to lead to substantial economic losses for farmers.