Press Release: Bluetongue confirmed in Belgium and Germany

The European Commission has been informed of confirmed outbreaks of Bluetongue in parts of Belgium and Germany, close to the border with the Netherlands. In Belgium, the virus was confirmed on 11 holdings in sheep in the Liege province, while German authorities reported findings in cattle on 8 holdings and in sheep on 1 holding in the Aachen/Düren area of the region of North Rhein Westphalia . Further investigations and laboratory testing are currently being performed at the Community Reference Laboratory in Pirbright (UK), to identify the strain involved. Both countries have established 20km standstill zones around the infected farms, and have adapted the 100km protection zone and 150km surveillance zone that was put in place in response to the Dutch outbreak on 18 August 2006 (see IP/06/1112). The situation will be discussed by Member State veterinary experts in the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health on 21 August, and the Commission will adopt a decision on the measures to be taken, in line with Directive 2000/75 on the control and eradication of bluetongue.