November 29, 2012

Following the detection of bluetongue antibodies in Lithuanian cattle, the State Food and Veterinary Service (SFVS) of Lithuania suspended the issuance of veterinary certificates for cattle export.

"In order to prevent the penetration of the virus to Belarus, the country has imposed temporary restrictions on the import of cattle, wild animals, zoo and circus animals susceptible to bluetongue, camels and other animals of the camel family (lamas, alpacas, vicunas), semen of bulls, rams and goats, as well as embryos of cattle upon the permits issued earlier. The restriction will be in place until the epizootic situation has been clarified in Lithuania," the department informed.

Belarus has temporarily suspended the issuance of permits for the import of the above-mentioned products from Lithuania.

The bluetongue virus was first detected in South Africa in 1876. The virus is of no hazard to human beings, but can cause deadly diseases in ruminant animals.