As the warm season approaches and blue tongue disease (BTV) continues to spread in the European Union (Slovenia reported an outbreak of BTV in February 2025), the State Food and Veterinary Office (SVVT) is making continuous preparations to respond to possible outbreaks, especially as the season of the main vectors of the disease - the small blood-sucking machines - will start soon.

Today, the VMVT Animal Infectious Disease Management Team tested the algorithm for the preparedness to respond to a real outbreak. Several scenarios were simulated and the different sequences of actions that would be taken in case of an unexpected outbreak in one of the large farms or a simultaneous outbreak on different farms in distant regions were discussed.

The disease management strategy is currently undergoing a steady review and refinement, assessing the experience of countries that have already been confronted with the disease - Belgium, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom and Slovenia.

In addition, the review of preparedness plans also addresses disease control measures, such as the establishment of a no-fly period for insects and the need for vaccination to ensure that there are no additional barriers to voluntary vaccination in the event of disease emergence.

As the threat of disease outbreaks moves towards Lithuania, the highest level of vigilance is needed not only at institutional level. Every farmer keeping livestock, including sheep or goats, must also prepare for the possibility that the disease could occur at any time and make every effort to prevent it. To this end, it is necessary to implement biosecurity requirements and to closely monitor the condition of the cattle kept, and to cooperate and consult closely with private veterinarians and with the VMVT. 

Lithuanian farms currently have over 600 000 cattle, 125 000 sheep and 14 000 goats. With calving season approaching, these numbers are set to increase in the near future, and the losses from bluetongue would be significant and economically painful for the livestock sector as a whole.