Bluetongue in the Czech Republic

 
Conditions for the Czech Republic with regard to infection with Bluetongue virus
 

Conditions as regards bluetongue disease for authorisation of derogations for  movements of kept bovine animals, kept ovine and caprine animals, kept camelids animals, kept cervid animals and other kept ungulates

Conditions for the Czech Republic with regard to infection with Bluetongue virus (BTV) in accordance with Articles 13 (2), 17(2), 24(2), 27(2) and 30 (2) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 of 17 December 2019, as amended, supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

The Czech Republic will accept the animal species listed above under the following conditions in accordance with point 3 (b) of Part I of Annex IX of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688:

1) PCR testing combined with animal protection against vectors

1. the animals have been protected from vector attacks by insecticides or repellents for at least 14 days prior to the date of movement; and
2. the animals have been subjected during that period to a PCR test, with negative results, carried out on samples collected at least 7 days following the date of initiation of protection from vector attacks; and
3. the PCR test result is valid for 14 days from the date of sample collection; throughout this period (until the date of departure) the animals must be protected against vector attacks.

OR

2) Where the movement of vaccinated animals in accordance with point 2(c) of Part I of Annex IX of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 is not possible for the following reasons:

1. the vaccine specifications do not specify an immunity period; or
2. the animal species is not specified in the vaccine specifications,

then the movement of vaccinated animals is possible under the following conditions:

Animals under 90 days of age:

Come from a mother vaccinated before pregnancy or at least 28 days prior to parturition against all serotypes 1-24 of BTV reported during the last 2 years prior to the date of departure in an area of at least 150 km radius centred on establishments where the animals were kept;

Animals over 90 days of age:

1. were vaccinated against all serotypes 1-24 of BTV reported during the last 2 years prior to the date of departure in an area of at least 150 km radius centred on establishments where the animals were kept; and
2. the movement will take place at least 30 days after the first and single injection (if the vaccine used requires a single injection) or 10 days after the second injection (if the vaccine used requires 2 injections).

Irrespective of the requirements mentioned above, animals that fulfil the requirements set out in points 1 to 2 of Part I of Annex IX of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688, as amended, will always be accepted in the Czech Republic.

These derogations apply from November 1^th, 2026

 

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History of the disease in the past
 

The whole territory of the Czech Republic has been officially free of bluetongue since 29 April 2013. The last positive case of bluetongue infection was recorded in September 2009 and vaccination against bluetongue was finished on 28 April 2011.

Epidemiological situation - outbreaks (69.4 KB)

 

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Bluetongue-positive holdings 2026
 

A total of 154 outbreaks of BTV-3 have been confirmed in the Czech Republic from 1 January 2026 to1 October 2026 (22 outbreaks from 16 May 2026). No other serotype of BTV occured in the Czech Republic.

Map showing the location of bluetongue-positive holdings (1. 1. – 1. 10. 2026).

Cattle – 150, Sheep – 4, Goats – 0.

Cattle   Sheep   Goats

 

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Bluetongue-positive holdings 2025
 

A total of 341 outbreaks of BTV-3 have been confirmed in the Czech Republic from May 2025 to December 2025. No other serotype of BTV occured in the Czech Republic.

Map showing the location of bluetongue-positive holdings in 2025.

Cattle – 292, Sheep – 49,  Goats – 3.

Cattle   Sheep   Goats

 

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Entomological surveillance for bluetongue virus in the Czech Republic

 
The Czech Republic conducts annual entomological surveillance to determine the seasonally BTV (bluetongue vector) – free period in the country. Based on the results of this surveillance, seasonally BTV – free period was declared  from 29 November 2024 to 1 May 2025. For 2025/2026, a seasonally BTV – free period was declared from1 December 2025 to 16 May 2026.

 

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Epidemiological situation regarding BTV in 2024
 

On September 6, 2024, the infection with Bluetongue virus, serotype 3, was confirmed in the Czech Republic.

As of November 18, 2024, 93 cases of BTV have been confirmed.

As of October  30, 2024, free status for the infection with Bluetongue virus was suspended for the entire territory of the Czech Republic.

Until October  30, 2024, the established zone of 150 km radius of confirmed outbreaks included the following territorial units of the Czech Republic:

Karlovy Vary Region (all districts), Ústí nad Labem Region (all districts), Central Bohemian Region (all districts), Praque Region, Pilsen Region (all districts), Liberec Region (all districts), South Bohemian region (all districts), Vysočina Region (districts Pelhřimov, Havlíčkův Brod, Jihlava), Pardubice Region (districts Pardubice, Chrudim), Hradec Králové Region (all districts).