Bluetongue virus in Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide

Photo: Marlies van den Bergh

The bluetongue virus is hitting the sheep sector very hard this year, and unfortunately the sheep used for nature management in Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide are not spared either. The virus is spread by midges, small insects that transmit the virus through their bite. Infected animals show symptoms such as fever, swelling of the head, tongue and lips, and reduced appetite.

We spoke to the forester and to Bert Plasmans of De Hoeder about the impact of the virus on the herd and nature management in Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide.

Animal welfare first

For both De Hoeder and the forester, who is responsible as principal, the welfare of the animals is paramount. Various measures have therefore been taken to monitor and support the herd as much as possible.

Infected animals need more rest in the first place. Therefore, in consultation between manager and shepherd, it has been decided not to actively herd for the time being. So you will temporarily not see a shepherd with dog and flock crossing the heathland; a familiar sight for many visitors. Instead, the sheep on the heath are now kept in flexible nets. This way, they have to use less energy for the movements and still have the benefits of being outside in the terrain.

The herd is closely monitored twice a day. The shepherd cares for the infected animals on site or takes them to the stable if they are too weak. Only the animals that are severely weakened are removed from the heathland for more intensive care.

Dutch herds safeguarded for now

Remarkably, herds on the Dutch side of the border are not affected by the virus for the time being. On Kortenhoeff or on the Ossendrechtse Duinen, you can therefore still encounter herds herded.

For now, little is known about why it is that some herds are impacted and others not at all. For example, the shepherd(Van Driel Landschapsbeheer) on the Dutch side of the Grenspark outlines that herds are and are not infected in other places in the province of North Brabant, although sometimes they graze only half a kilometre apart.

If infections do occur on the Dutch side of the Grenspark, similar measures will be taken as on the Flemish side.

Keep it up until November

The spread of the bluetongue virus is linked to the activity of the gnat, a family of the mosquito. It remains active until the temperature drops in winter. Infections are expected to decrease from November.