Two consignments were brought to two separate premises
in Yorkshire, where the Animal and Plant Health Agency
(APHA) and the Pirbright Institute identified the
disease as a part of routine post-import testing.
All infected cattle, plus one other animal which
travelled in the same vehicle and was found to be
susceptible to infection, will be humanely culled.
The third consignment was taken to a premises in
Northern Ireland where the disease was detected by the
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural
Affairs (DAERA).
Bluetongue does not affect people or food safety, but
outbreaks of the virus can result in restrictions on
livestock movement and trade. The virus is transmitted
by midge bites and affects cattle, goats, sheep and
other camelids such as llamas. It can reduce milk yield
and cause infertility and in the most severe cases is
fatal for infected animals.
Action is being taken to ensure the risk of spread of
the disease is reduced, with movement restrictions
already in place at the affected premises.
The UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss,
said:
Farmers must be aware of the risks of bringing
animals from disease-affected areas into their flocks
and herds. It is vitally important that we keep this
disease out.
This detection is a further example of our robust
disease surveillance measures in action, but I urge
farmers to remain vigilant. They need to work with
importers to make sure effective vaccination needs
are complied with and that all animals are sourced
responsibly.
All cattle and sheep farmers are reminded to:
- Discuss their needs with a private veterinary
surgeon and carefully consider the risks and the health
status of animals before deciding to import stock from
regions affected by Bluetongue virus
- Carefully consider what additional guarantees the
seller can provide as to the animal’s vaccination
status before purchasing (for example – by requesting
that a pre-export test is carried out to prove immunity
to BTV)
- Ensure that imported animals are accompanied by the
relevant paperwork to show they meet certain conditions
designed to reduce disease risk, such as correct
vaccination
- Prevent the disease spreading by practising good
biosecurity on the farm premises
- Stay alert to any signs of the disease, such as
mouth ulcers and drooling from the mouth and nose, and
report to APHA if necessary.
Importers should be aware that all cattle and sheep
arriving in the UK from countries where Bluetongue is
known to be circulating will be restricted until
post-import testing is carried out and the animals are
confirmed as compliant. Any animals which are infected
with Bluetongue will be culled and no compensation will
be paid. Any animals in the consignment which are at
risk of becoming infected may also be culled.
In addition, all other susceptible animals on the
premises will be placed under movement restrictions
until we can confirm that the disease has not spread.
Last month a number of organisations across the
livestock sector encouraged farmers to think carefully
about importing animals from areas that are known to be
infected with Bluetongue virus.
Following the interception of these consignments, the
UK remains officially Bluetongue-free, the risk of the
disease remains low and exports are not affected.
