Dutch farmer

Bluetongue virus devastates Dutch farms, resurgence hits hard

One sheep drools, another limps, and a third can barely stand. The bluetongue virus wreaks havoc for Dutch farmer Erik van Norel, who believed the worst was over. Still reeling from last year’s outbreak, the 41-year-old now faces a resurgence on his farm. Bluetongue, a non-contagious viral disease spread by insects, affects sheep and cows but spares pigs and horses.…