Aalborg Zoo vaccinates against deadly virus

Aalborg Zoo is vaccinating its reindeer, goats, and vicuñas against the bluetongue virus due to a rise in infections in Denmark, as announced by the zoo’s veterinarian, Trine Hammer Jensen. The zoo’s vicuñas are scheduled to travel to Germany for a breeding program, making vaccination mandatory. However, vicuñas, being very shy creatures, pose a vaccination challenge and might need to be injected with a vaccination dart or caught and vaccinated. The process is expected to be smoother for the reindeer and goats. The zoo quickly received the vaccines once ordered. Other Danish zoos, including those in Copenhagen, Odense, and Givskud, have also vaccinated their animals since the first case in Denmark was detected three weeks ago, with over 50 herds now infected. Bluetongue primarily affects sheep, goats, and cattle and is spread by midges from the south but cannot infect humans.