The Bluetongue Virus: A Warning About the Risks of Intensive Livestock Farming
The bluetongue virus, also known as Bluetongue virus (BTV), is a viral disease that affects ruminants such as sheep, goats, and cattle. Although the virus does not directly threaten humans, it reveals a lot about the risks and negative impact of intensive livestock farming. In this blog post, we look at how the bluetongue virus is a symptom of larger problems in animal husbandry and why we need to reconsider our current farming practices.
Image comes from Pixabay
What is the Bluetongue Virus?
The bluetongue virus is a serious virus that mainly affects ruminants and is transmitted by bloodsucking insects, especially midges of the genus Culicoides. The virus causes painful and sometimes fatal symptoms in animals, such as fever, swelling and the characteristic blueness of the tongue. Although sheep are the most sensitive to this virus, cattle and other animals can also suffer from its effects.
Dissemination and Climate Change
One of the most important factors contributing to the spread of the bluetongue virus is climate change. Warmer weather allows midges, the main carriers of the virus, to reproduce more quickly and colonize new areas. The advance of the bluetongue virus into new regions is an alarming example of how our exploitation of the planet has not only ecological but also epidemiological consequences.
