Cataluña Begins Preventive Vaccination for Blue Tongue Serotype 3
- Medida preventiva ante la libre circulación de animales en el territorio español.
- El Departamento de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Alimentación de Cataluña ha iniciado preventivamente la vacunación del serotipo 3 de Lengua Azul, en respuesta a la reciente orden del...
- Simultáneamente, el programa de vacunación contra el serotipo 8 en ovinos y bovinos continúa avanzando.
Cataluña Inicia Vacunación Preventiva Contra el Serotipo 3 de Lengua Azul
Medida preventiva ante la libre circulación de animales en el territorio español.
El Departamento de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Alimentación de Cataluña ha iniciado preventivamente la vacunación del serotipo 3 de Lengua Azul, en respuesta a la reciente orden del Ministerio de Agricultura que permite la libre circulación de animales dentro del territorio español. This proactive measure aims too safeguard livestock health and prevent the spread of the disease.
Simultáneamente, el programa de vacunación contra el serotipo 8 en ovinos y bovinos continúa avanzando. Este serotipo, junto con el serotipo 4, será declarado en Cataluña en 2024, aprovechando que la vacuna utilizada es bivalente.
Rosa Altisent, la directora general de Ganadería, emphasized the importance of the ongoing vaccination strategy, stating:
Tenemos más del 95% de los ovinos vacunados del serotipo 8; por tanto, estamos vacunando y no coinciden con otras actuaciones que los profesionales veterinarios deben hacer en las explotaciones que están pendientes de vacunar.
Rosa Altisent, directora general de Ganadería
Altisent highlighted that the Department’s vaccination strategy is actively working to minimize the spread of malaria and ensure animal health and welfare.
Regarding cattle, the directora general de Ganadería explained that progress continues with the vaccination strategy.The Department stated that it “tiene vacuna suficiente para acabar de vacunar por primera vez al bovino reproductor de leche que falta este 2025,” ensuring sufficient vaccine supply to complete the initial vaccination of dairy breeding cattle by 2025.
Serotipo 3 de la Lengua Azul: Medidas Preventivas
The Ministerio de Agricultura has declared the entire peninsular territory affected by four serotypes (1, 3, 4, and 8) of Lengua Azul, facilitating the free movement of animals within the peninsula. Other member states of the European Union are awaiting dialog from the Commission regarding exchange requirements.
According to the Govern,”Nos consta que desde el Ministerio ya están trabajando en ello. Este cambio en el protocolo de movimiento de animales era una de las demandas de los ganaderos de carne en Cataluña,” indicating that the Ministry is addressing the animal movement protocol, a key request from Catalan beef farmers.
In response to this evolving situation and to prevent the spread of the new Lengua azul serotype, the Government has approved an emergency contract to purchase vaccines for serotype 3, specifically targeting the ovine and bovine meat sectors. this contract amounts to 1.270.500 euros, aimed at protecting the sectors most vulnerable to the disease.
The Govern emphasizes the urgency of the situation:
La situación actual de propagación de la malaria demuestra un riesgo elevado para Cataluña de introducción y propagación, en este caso de este serotipo, sobre todo a principios de la primavera de 2025. Esto podría afectar, principalmente, a especies y aptitudes más sensibles a la infección por este serotipo del virus de la lengua azul, como son la especie ovina y la especie bovina.
Govern
This highlights the elevated risk of introduction and spread of this serotype in Catalonia, particularly affecting sheep and cattle, which are more susceptible to infection.
Rosa Altisent further explained that the goal is to complete the vaccination throughout 2025. She added:
Desde el Departamento recomendamos a aquellos sectores donde las consecuencias de la malaria sean más graves que vacunen antes de finalizar el período estacionalmente largo de vector, previsiblemente a mediados de abril con la llegada de las condiciones climatológicas.
Rosa Altisent, directora general de Ganadería
The Department recommends that sectors most vulnerable to the consequences of malaria vaccinate before the end of the seasonally long vector period, expected around mid-April with the arrival of specific weather conditions.
Cataluña Initiates Preventative Vaccination Against Bluetongue Virus Serotype 3: Your Questions Answered
Published: March 12, 2025
This article provides a comprehensive Q&A-style overview of the preventative vaccination efforts against Bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 3 in Cataluña, Spain, addressing the recent measures taken by the Departamento de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Alimentación (department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food) in response to the Ministry of Agriculture’s order allowing free movement of animals within the Spanish territory.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bluetongue Virus Vaccination in Cataluña:
Q: Why is Cataluña initiating a preventative vaccination campaign against Bluetongue virus serotype 3?
A: Cataluña is proactively implementing preventative vaccination against Bluetongue virus serotype 3 to safeguard livestock health and prevent the spread of the disease. This is in direct response to the Ministerio de Agricultura’s (Ministry of Agriculture) decision to allow the free movement of animals within the Spanish peninsula, increasing the risk of transmission. The region is trying to work against an elevated risk of introduction and spread of the serotype in Catalonia,notably affecting sheep and cattle,which are more susceptible to the virus.
Q: What is Bluetongue virus (BTV) and why is it a concern?
A: bluetongue is a non-contagious, insect-borne, viral disease that affects ruminants (primarily sheep, cattle, goats, and deer). It is transmitted by Culicoides midges (biting flies). The disease can cause:
Fever
excessive salivation
Swelling of the mouth and tongue (hence the name “Bluetongue”)
Lameness
Breathing difficulties
In severe cases, death.
Bluetongue is a important concern because it can cause significant economic losses due to decreased production (milk,meat,wool),trade restrictions,and the cost of control measures.
Q: which animals are being targeted in the vaccination campaign against serotype 3?
A: The vaccination campaign specifically targets the ovine (sheep) and bovine (cattle) meat sectors, as these animal species are most vulnerable to infection by serotype 3 of the Bluetongue virus.
Q: How much is Cataluña investing in this preventative vaccination effort?
A: The Government has approved an emergency contract worth 1,270,500 euros to purchase vaccines for serotype 3. this investment is aimed at protecting the sectors most vulnerable to the disease.
Q: What is the current status of vaccination against other Bluetongue serotypes in Cataluña?
A: cataluña is also actively progressing with its vaccination programme against serotype 8 in ovine and bovine populations. Over 95% of sheep have already been vaccinated against serotype 8.Importantly, the vaccine being used is bivalent, meaning it protects against both serotypes 8 and 4, which was declared in Cataluña in 2024. The Department stated that there is “suficiente vacuna para acabar de vacunar por primera vez al bovino reproductor de leche que falta este 2025,” ensuring sufficient vaccine supply to complete the initial vaccination of dairy breeding cattle by 2025.
Q: What are the implications of the Ministerio de Agricultura allowing free movement of animals within the Spanish peninsula?
A: While facilitating trade and addressing the requests of Catalan beef farmers, the free movement of animals within the peninsular territory affected by Bluetongue serotypes 1, 3, 4, and 8 increases the risk of spreading the virus to previously unaffected areas. This necessitates preventative measures like vaccination to protect livestock.
Q: What should livestock owners in Cataluña do to protect their animals?
A: The Departamento recommends sectors most vulnerable to the consequences of Bluetongue vaccinate before the end of the seasonally long vector (midge) period, which is expected around mid-April with the arrival of specific weather conditions. contact your veterinarian to schedule vaccinations, prioritizing sheep and cattle.
Q: What is meant by the “seasonally long vector period”?
A: This refers to the period when Culicoides midges, the vectors (carriers) of the Bluetongue virus, are most active. Midge activity is influenced by weather conditions, particularly temperature and humidity. Warmer temperatures and higher humidity promote midge breeding and survival, extending the period of potential virus transmission.
Q: What is the EU’s involvement in the Bluetongue situation in spain?
A: Other member states of the European Union are awaiting dialog from the Commission regarding exchange requirements for animals coming from the affected areas of Spain.
Q: What is the role of Rosa Altisent, the directora general de Ganadería, in this vaccination strategy?
A: Rosa altisent, the directora general de Ganadería (Director-General of Livestock), is a key figure in the vaccination strategy. She emphasizes the importance of the ongoing vaccination efforts, oversees the implementation of the program, and communicates relevant details to livestock owners and the public.
Key Information Summary
| topic | Details |
| ————————– | ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– |
| Vaccination Target | Preventative vaccination against Bluetongue virus serotype 3 |
| Target Animals | Ovine (sheep) and bovine (cattle) meat sectors |
| Reason for Vaccination | Prevent the spread of Bluetongue virus due to the free movement of animals and the increased risk of transmission. |
| Investment | €1,270,500 for vaccines |
| Other Serotypes | Vaccination against serotype 8 is ongoing (with >95% of sheep vaccinated); the vaccine is bivalent (protecting against serotypes 8 and 4) |
| Call to Action | Livestock owners should contact their veterinarians to schedule vaccinations, especially before mid-April (end of the vector period). |
| Malaria | The original article is referencing both Malaria and Lengua Azul/Bluetongue virus in ways that would not be possible. It is indeed more likely that the document refers to the effects of the Bluetongue virus. |
This Q&A provides essential information for livestock owners and the general public regarding the preventative vaccination campaign against Bluetongue virus serotype 3 in Cataluña. By proactively addressing this threat, Cataluña aims to protect its livestock industry and maintain animal health and welfare.