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Epidemiology of Bluetongue virus serotype 8 outbreaks in the Netherlands in 2006. In August 2006 a major epidemic of Bluetongue (bt) occurred in north-western Europe, affecting the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Luxemburg, and the north of France. It was caused by bt virus serotype 8 (btv-8), a serotype previously unknown to the eu. Although clinical disease is usually restricted to sheep, this virus also caused clinical disease in a small proportion of cattle. The last clinical outbreak of bt in the Netherlands occurred mid-December 2006. The delay between observation of the first clinical signs by the owner and reporting of a clinically suspect bt situation to the veterinary authorities was approximately 2 weeks. btv-8-associated clinical signs were more prominent in sheep than in cattle, and the relative frequency of specifi c clinical signs was different in cattle and sheep. Morbidity and mortality rates were signifi cantly higher among sheep than among cattle, and a higher proportion of cattle than sheep recovered from clinical disease

On 26th of july 2007 a new case of bluetongue was notified in the Netherlands and on 2nd of august 2007 food and-mouth disease was diagnosed in Surrey, England, which raised the threat of having both infections simultaniously in one area. Bluetongue and foot-and-mouth disease have a different pathogenesis, but symptoms may resemble each other at a later stage of infection. The pathogenesis and possible clinical symptoms of both infections are discussed and illustrated with pictures.

Control of Parasitic gastroenteritis in small ruminants is threatened by the worldwide growing problem of anthelmintic resistance. Therfore, alternativeapproaches for worm control are imperative. Of utmost importance is to slow down selection pressure for anthelmintic resistance by using alternative control measure combined with minimal anthelmintic usage. New control options for the Netherlands are discussed.