Bluetongue disease: prevention, diagnosis and management

Bluetongue is a serious illness in ruminants. Currently, the disease is spreading more widely in Europe, posing a significant challenge for farmers as it affects both animal welfare and farm profitability. This article discusses optimal prevention, diagnosis, and management strategies for bluetongue disease.

What is bluetongue?

Bluetongue is a viral infection with a high transmission rate due to the spread by specific biting midges. These midges must first suck blood from an infected animal (e.g. a deer) before transmitting the virus to other ruminants. The disease primarily affects ruminants like cattle and sheep and can lead to severe health problems in the animals. The serotypes vary, and depending on the serotype, the severity of the disease can differ. Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe, often fatal cases.

Symptoms and diagnosis

The symptoms of bluetongue disease are diverse and can range from mild to severe. The most common signs include:

• Fever: A frequent symptom that often lasts over 24 hours.
• Swelling: Particularly around the tongue, head and legs.
• Skin changes: Redness and swelling, especially on the mucous membranes and in the udder area.
• Loss of appetite, weight loss, and digestive issues: Due to general discomfort, food intake can be significantly reduced.

In the early stages, it can be difficult to distinguish between bluetongue and other diseases such as mastitis or bovine influenza. Accurate diagnosis requires veterinary assistance and is only possible through a blood test (PCR). As with all other diseases, early diagnosis provides critical advantages!

Detecting bluetongue with smaXtec

Recognizing an outbreak of bluetongue at an early stage can save animal lives and prevent major economic losses for farmers. This is where the smaXtec health management system comes in. With its unique bolus technology, continuous monitoring of animals is possible, allowing farmers to keep an eye on vital data such as inner body temperature (± 0.01°C accuracy), water intake and drinking cycles, rumination activity and movement. This precise data enables prompt identification of fever or other anomalies that could indicate a bluetongue infection. In the case of bluetongue, long-lasting fevers of up to 24 hours and an increased number of alerts through the smaXtec system are characteristic. Only through continuous measurement of inner body temperature and early notifications farmers can take action as soon as bluetongue appears on their farm.

Prevention through vaccination

Vaccination is one of the most effective measures to combat bluetongue disease. Two vaccinations at intervals of around four weeks are essential for protection. Each serotype requires a different, specific vaccine. In areas where the virus is prevalent, preventive vaccination can be useful to prevent the spread of the disease. Vaccination reduces the severity of the disease and can help to maintain animal health, stabilize milk yield and prevent abortions.

Management and stress reduction

However, vaccination is not always recommended or possible in every situation. Ideal management and stress reduction are especially important to enhance herd health and minimize the risk of disease. This includes ensuring high water quality and availability, as well as checking the quality of feed. Optimal barn conditions can also help promote the overall health of the animals. In stressful situations like overcrowding or insufficient ventilation, minimizing additional stress factors is crucial to supporting the animals' resilience. These are also criteria to which the smaXtec health management system draws attention at an early stage.

Thanks to the system’s rapid detection of changes, farmers can react quickly and take appropriate actions, such as calling a veterinarian or adjusting their prevention strategy. We support you in minimizing the impact of bluetongue disease on your farm and in protecting the health of your cows.