A serious infectious disease has been diagnosed at one dairy farm in Egilsstaðir in East Iceland. This is the first time that such a disease is reported in Iceland.

Photo copyright Icelandic Photo Agency.

The disease, infectious rhinotracheitis/infectious pulmonary vulvovaginitis (IBR/IPV), does not pose a risk to humans and cannot be transferred via agricultural products, Fréttablaðið reports. Around half of the affected farm’s 80 cows have been infected.

Samples from the affected farm and all 40 dairy farms in the area have been sent to the University of Iceland for testing, the results of which are expected next week.

Samples were also taken from those farms which have had recent business with the affected farm through the sale of live animals but all results returned negative.

It is not yet known how far the disease has spread and according to Hjörtur Magnason, the district vet, it is too early to discuss putting down the affected animals.

The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) will request samples from all dairy farms in the country in the coming days.

ZR