Nébih ordered national bluetongue tests, the results suggest caution
The bluetongue epidemic broke out in the Netherlands at the beginning of September 2023 and then spread extremely quickly throughout the country. At the beginning of October, Germany and Belgium, among the previously exempt member states, announced the appearance of the disease close to the Dutch border.

(Photo: Pixabay)
In order to protect the Hungarian livestock and preserve our free status, Nébih ordered the inspection of the cattle transported to Hungary. Nébih – taking into account the longest incubation period of the disease – has prescribed the inspection of shipments of susceptible animals arriving in Hungary from July 2023. Of the almost 3,800 cattle that arrived with the affected 59 shipments, only about 1,150 animals were kept in Hungary at the time of the investigation, and the rest were so-called exported to third countries. With the involvement and cooperation of the county government offices, a total of almost 1,700 samples and laboratory tests were carried out, which also affected animals kept together with cattle from other Member States.
So far, a total of fifteen non-vaccinated animals of Dutch origin in five farms have been confirmed to have previously encountered the virus, become infected and transferred
Although these cattle do not pose a risk of infection, the results definitely show that prevention is key to maintaining Hungary’s freedom from bluetongue: protection against mosquitoes that play a role in the spread of the virus, as well as strict adherence to quarantine regulations.
Based on Nébih’s information, no cattle, sheep or goat shipments have arrived in Hungary from the Netherlands or infected areas of other member states since the restrictions were introduced
The activity period of midge mosquitoes, which transmit the infection, ended with the arrival of cold weather, but the agency draws the attention of farmers to take special care when purchasing animals from the affected countries, and to complete the prescribed treatments, tests, and quarantine in all cases.
Loss of bluetongue-free status may mean trade restrictions for susceptible ruminants.
Nébih
Related news
Beautiful but dangerous: why not bring a plant from your vacation?
The bacterium Xylella fastidiosa poses a serious threat to Hungary’s…
Read more >Four plant protection products have received emergency authorization to control locusts
In Hungary, due to the extremely hot and dry summer…
Read more >Bird flu: What is the situation in the United States?
Seasonal migration of wild birds and the import of certain…
Read more >Related news
This is how Hungarians eat lunch – we are still a meat-eating nation
A recent domestic study revealed how Hungarian food culture has…
Read more >NKFH: database launched on smaller packaging
Consumers can find out about products whose packaging has been…
Read more >Temu attacks: the online discount giant would also break into the European food market
After cheap electronics and clothing, the Chinese online marketplace Temu…
Read more >