The bluetongue disease, an infectious disease which affects cattle and sheep, was confirmed in seven villages in Buzau county, south-east of Romania, according to county prefect Maria Buleandra, reports local Mediafax.

However the situation changes every hour as the disease not only affects cattle, but also sheep. The disease already affected dozens of cattle.

In the areas where the bluetongue disease was confirmed, animal trading was stopped, according to Buleandra.

On Tuesday, August 26, Minister of Interior Gabriel Oprea called the national committee for special emergency situations, and asked representatives of the National Veterinary Authority ANSVSA to take measures to prevent or limit the disease spreading on a national level, according to a statement of the Ministry of Interior.

The bluetongue disease doesn’t affect humans but causes economic losses through transmission to other animals, according to ANSVSA representatives. It is a non-contagious, insect-borne, viral disease, which affects ruminants.  Major signs of the disease in sheep and cattle are high fever, excessive salivation, swelling of the face and tongue and cyanosis of the tongue., which gives it its typical blue appearance

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com