EU health official: Bluetongue 'here to stay'

The bluetongue virus that affects goats, sheep and cattle is spreading fast through Europe and may become permanent in many countries, the EU’s top public health official said today.

Once present only in southern Europe, the disease spread by midges, has recently been detected in Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Luxembourg.

The spread shows no signs of stopping, EU health commissioner Markos Kyprianou said. Some 14,000 outbreaks have been registered in this region this year alone.

Bluetongue is not harmful to humans, but can be fatal for ruminants, especially sheep.

It is transmitted by certain species of midges once common only in Mediterranean areas.

Mr Kyprianou said the EU had no “natural allies” against the disease such as birds that might eat the insects.