China Continues to Halt Animal Imports Due to Bluetongue Outbreak
China has closed both direct and indirect imports of ruminant animals and related products from Liechtenstein due to a bluetongue outbreak, according to Reuters, citing the Chinese General Administration of Customs.
Initial reports of bluetongue cases in Liechtenstein were submitted to the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) on October 28.
In addition to Liechtenstein, China has temporarily suspended imports of ruminants and ruminant-derived products from North Macedonia, Italy, Iraq, Belgium, and the Netherlands as a precaution against the spread of the disease.
In addition to Liechtenstein, China has temporarily suspended imports of ruminants and ruminant-derived products from North Macedonia, Italy, Iraq, Belgium, and the Netherlands as a precaution against the spread of the disease.
The spread of bluetongue across Europe has been intensified by global warming, which creates favorable conditions for insect carriers of the virus. The disease, which is non-contagious, is caused by an Orbivirus and affects both domestic and wild ruminants, such as sheep and cattle. Clinical signs of bluetongue include fever, inflammation and necrotic lesions in the mouth and hooves, high morbidity, as well as mortality and fetal death in utero.
