Control of Bluetongue in the EU

The Office International des Epizooties (OIE) considers Bluetongue a notifiable disease, which means that it has potential for rapid spread and has major significance in the international trade arena. Control measures carried out during outbreaks in the EU are set out in European legislation.

European Legislation

In the past, stamping out procedures were often implemented at the beginning of an outbreak. Moreover, export of live animals (domestic and wild ruminants), semen, oocytes and embryos from infected areas toward other regions is forbidden. These trade regulations associated with Bluetongue outbreaks have become a more serious threat to the livestock industry than the actual disease itself.

Control options

The wide host range and the existence of latently infected carrier animals make elimination of the source very difficult. Eradication or even effective reduction of the insect vectors is also very difficult if not impossible.

A combined approach of control, safeguard and preventive measures should be followed for successful Bluetongue control.