One sheep dribbles, another limps, a third can barely stand: the bluetongue virus is causing havoc for Dutch farmer Erik van Norel, who thought he had seen the back of it.
Still recovering from the impact of the virus last year, the 41-year-old thought the nightmare was finally over — then bluetongue staged a comeback on his farm.
Bluetongue is a non-contagious, insect-borne viral disease that affects sheep and cows but not pigs or horses. It is difficult to control once it takes hold.
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