The Balearic Islands currently have a total of 78 bluetongue bulbsas reported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment. This is why the Balearic Government has already closed the first purchase of up to 500,000 vaccines for the archipelago.
More precisely, they were detected 71 lights in Mallorca and seven in Menorcafailing to receive the results of samples taken last week from other farms on the Islands, as indicated by Agriculture in a press release.
In the case of Majorcafarms affected by the disease are in Sóller (nine outbreaks), Deià (eight), Pollença and Alaró (seven), Fornalutx and Bunyola (six), Campanet and Estellencs (five), Valldemossa, Escorca and Calvià (three), Esporles and Palma (two) and Felanitx, Andratx, Marratxí, Puigpunyent and Santa Margalida (one).
Likewise, there are other possible cases in the absence of knowledge of the results of the samples in the municipalities of Binissalem and Lloseta. In Minorcathere are two suspected cases in Ciutadella and the three outbreaks declared in Ferreries and Es Migjorn Granin addition to the one already registered at Es Mercadal. Finally, in Ibiza they are waiting to hear the results of the samples.
The Director General of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development, Fernando Fernándezconfirmed the closing of the contract for the supply of 500,000 doses from Syva, one of the Spanish laboratories authorized by the Spanish Medicines Agency to produce and market the vaccine against bluetongue. Delivery should take place in early December.
“We have been working from the first minute in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to obtain vaccines,” said Fernández, assuring that the General Directorate has explored all avenues and opportunities. Furthermore, he indicated that the purchased vaccine is single dose in sheepeffective against serotype 8, the most aggressive, but also against serotype 4. “Which will further strengthen the immunity of livestock,” he stressed.
Likewise, the general director clarified to the sector that there are other vaccines available in other countries of the European Union but that they do not have authorization from the Spanish Medicines Agency, therefore ” they cannot be acquired or administered because they do not meet the requirements.” requirements.” nor guarantee the safety of animals.
The Ministry recalled that as long as the vaccination campaign cannot start Measures must be maintained to prevent further spread of the disease. These measures are regulated in a protocol that indicates the rules for moving livestock inside and outside the Balearic Islands, as well as the obligation to disinfect and disinfect animals, among others.
Furthermore, until further notice, with regard to fairs, competitions and other animal exhibitions, the movement of sensitive species for leisure purposes or similar activities is not authorized during the seasonal period. Outside of seasonal periods, each case is evaluated.
The general director recalled that this health alert has no impact on public health, since bluetongue is a viral disease which only affects ruminants.
