The Bluetongue virus, a disease affecting primarily sheep and cattle, has rapidly spread across Germany within just ten months.

As of late August, over 4,800 farms have reported infections, with the virus now present in every German state except Berlin.

The disease, transmitted by biting midges, poses no threat to humans, and meat and dairy products from infected animals remain safe for consumption.

The current outbreak is attributed to the BTV-3 serotype, which first appeared in the Netherlands in September 2023. Experts warn that the virus will continue to affect livestock into the next year, urging farmers to vaccinate their animals to mitigate the impact.

The rapid spread of the virus has led to significant economic concerns for farmers, particularly in regions with high cattle populations like Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia.