The Ministry of Agriculture recommends vaccination

Catarrhale fever cases are increasing in Hauts-de-France, more precisely in the Oise and the Somme. For example, The Ministry of Agriculture provides vaccination doses in the face of this circulating virus.

Faced with summer weather conditions, the Catarrhale Ovine (FCO) fever households are increasing in the Hauts-de-France.

The fear of a new epidemic of catarrhale fever is palpable. For example, Rural coordination therefore ministry agriculture recommends vaccination calls to have animals vaccinated in prevention. Similarly, The agricultural union announces “Seven households in cattle breeding. one sheep farming in the Oise and the Somme, and several suspicions are still in progress“.

In the Oise. “The resumption of Catarrhale Ovine fever cases has resulted in less than ten new homes since 1^is June 2025“, Indicates the prefecture. They are all of serotype 3 (FCO 3), the one who raged in Hauts-de-France during the 2024-2025 season.

For its part, the prefecture of the Somme notes that one FCO 3 household has been confirmed since June 1, 2025. It is a cattle farm. “”Since June, around thirty suspicions declared by farmers has been reached after veterinary analyzes“She says.

“FCO 3 households must be declared without this declaration leading to specific management measures. Animals from these homes can circulate freely on the national territory“, Specifies the prefecture.

For animals ministry agriculture recommends vaccination already in incubation, vaccination reduces viral excretion and decreases symptoms.

Ministry of Agriculture

This disease is transmitted to cattle. sheep and goats by biting insects, the culicoids, whose activity is important at the moment. The symptoms observed vary depending on the vaccination status of herd. The vaccinated carry discreet signs, such as fever or a drop in lactation. As for non -vacinated, they face more severe symptoms, such as brutal weight loss, edema or even respiratory disorders.

Currently, in mainland France, two FCO serotypes circulate, the FCO 8 and FCO 3. The first, very present in Europe, is distinguished by a fairly high virulence. The second, more recent on the continent, is even less documented. For information, a serotype 8 vaccine does not protect against serotype 3, and vice versa.

The Ministry of Agriculture. Food Sovereignty recalls “the importance of vaccinating animals and providing sheep farmers with ministry agriculture recommends vaccination effective vaccine doses against serotype 8 of the disease“. He also encourages it for serotype 3, that it is possible to buy”on the private market“.