*Bluetongue Virus outbreak detected in Denmark - EU*

13 Oct 2007 17:50:07 GMT
Source: Reuters

BRUSSELS, Oct 13 (Reuters) - An outbreak of the bluetongue virus has
been reported in Denmark in a sheep herd near Sakskobing on the island
of Lolland, south of Zealand, the European Commission said on Saturday.

Clinical symptoms of bluetongue were identified in a sheep that died
less than 48 hours after signs of the virus were observed, the EU
executive said in a statement.

The announcement makes Denmark the latest north European country to
report an outbreak of the disease.

Bluetongue is an insect-borne viral disease that affects domestic and
wild ruminants. It does not affect humans and there is no risk of the
disease being contracted or spread through meat or milk.

It has spread with alarming speed across Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg,
the Netherlands, France and Britain.