Bovine Virus Diarrhoea (BVD) is actually supposed to have been eradicated in Switzerland, but three regional farms are once again struggling against the virus.
Uznach. – The rumour circulated through the various cattle shows: The infectious condition of Bovine Virus Diarrhoea (BVD) is thought to have broken out again in regional farms. This has now been confirmed: Three farms in the Linth region are suffering from BVD.
The disease had once spread unchecked for years before being brought under control a few years ago by the federal government with a large-scale control programme.
Although the disease is supposed to have been completely eradicated by now, isolated cases in which the disease breaks out in a farm still occur from time to time.
Slight accumulation in the region
This is what has now happened in three farms in the region, as confirmed by Adrian Fäh, Head of Animal Health at the Office for Consumer Protection and Veterinary Affairs in the Canton of St. Gallen: "Since 1 January 2014, five farms have experienced new BVD infections in the Canton of St. Gallen. The fact that three farms are currently affected by the disease represents a slight accumulation." But he does not believe that there is any cause for concern.
The affected farms have been sealed off. "This means that the animals are no longer allowed to leave the farmyard until the farm is no longer under suspicion." What this means for the farms is related by the affected farmers (aru).