France Steps Up Vaccination Efforts to Combat Animal Diseases

France is battling a surge in animal diseases, particularly impacting sheep and cattle. In response, the outgoing Minister of Agriculture, Marc Fesneau, has announced the government will order several million additional vaccines and make them available to farmers free of charge. The measure comes as the number of cases of sheep fever (FCO) has nearly doubled in a week, reaching 342 confirmed outbreaks by August 29. The disease, also known as bluetongue, is spread by a type of biting midge. Since its initial detection in northern France in early August, the viral infection has spread rapidly, with recent cases reported in Saône-et-Loire and Orne. The government is allocating €14 million for 5.3 million additional vaccine doses, on top of the 6.4 million doses already ordered. While the vaccine can mitigate the effects of the disease, it doesn’t prevent new infections.