4/15/2025: 

The Veekijker has been contacted several times in recent months by veterinarians and livestock farmers with questions about abortions after 2 to 3 months’ gestation. These inquiries are raised by both sheep and goat farmers, as well as their veterinarians. One commonly expressed concern was the effect of bluetongue virus on the fertility of sheep and goats. This effect is thought to be very small for non-pregnant animals, and only indirect where it is indeed applicable. Scientific studies have yielded no indications of the female reproductive system being affected. It is possible in the aftermath of the virus that changes in management were applied that had some kind of effect, or that some animals were in poorer condition. Bluetongue is occasionally linked to abortions in small ruminants when the mother animal has suffered an acute infection during the pregnancy.

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Read the highlights report small ruminants

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