Catalan livestock farms on alert as bluetongue virus spreads

Livestock farms in Catalonia are on alert as cases of the bluetongue virus continue to spread.

Outbreaks have doubled in a few weeks, with 26 new cases, most of them on sheep farms.

With the new cases, the restricted zone has expanded to include all of Catalonia.

Last week, the massive vaccination of sheep against bluetongue began, with 30,000 doses already administered. However, this is far from covering the 285,000 sheep in Catalonia.

The Catalan government has purchased more than 3 million doses, which will arrive gradually.

The first 200,000 will be used on sheep, and then the vaccination of the 560,000 cows in Catalonia will begin.

The virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, only affects ruminants such as sheep and cows, causing their tongues to turn blue, among other symptoms.

Although the virus does not affect humans and the consumption of meat and milk is safe, farmers are worried about the economic impact it could have if people stop buying out of fear.

Moreover, in the most severe cases of the virus, which mainly affects sheep, the animals can die, which would reduce their production.

"The concern for society is zero because it has no effect on meat and milk. The main concern is for the industry," says Elisenda Guillaumes, secretary general of the Catalan government's agriculture and livestock department.

To mitigate the impact, farmers have launched a campaign to encourage citizens to consume local products.

"Lamb consumption has been declining for years, and there are fewer and fewer herds," says farmer Arnau Vilumara.

Through the #XaiDelTerritori campaign on social media, farmers are urging citizens to buy local products, reassuring them that their consumption is safe.