The UK Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed three new
cases of Bluetongue virus BTV3 on two new premises in Norfolk and
Suffolk, bringing the total number of cases to four.
A temporary control zone (TCZ) has been put in place around the
affected farms which will restrict movements of susceptible
animals and their germinal products except under licence.
Keepers of cattle, sheep, other ruminants and camelids must
remain vigilant and follow the restrictions on animal and
germinal product movements that now apply in the
zone. Further information on these restrictions and the
licences that are available can be found here.
Surveillance is underway to determine if the virus is currently
circulating in the UK. Given the current temperatures and midge
activity, which spread the disease, there is a high risk of
onward spread in the UK.
There have been a rising number of the cases in Northern Europe
and the Chief Veterinary Officer recently called for increased
vigilance and responsible sourcing of livestock.
Farmers should continue to monitor their animals frequently for
clinical signs and report suspicion of disease immediately, they
should also make sure their animals and land are registered with
APHA so keepers can be kept informed and animals easily located.
Farmers are also reminded that free testing remains
available for animals moving from the highest risk
counties to live elsewhere in Great Britain or to be sold at a
market within a high-risk county where there will be buyers from
outside the high-risk counties.
UK Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Ele Brown said:
Bluetongue does not pose a threat to human health or food
safety, but the disease can impact livestock farms, and cause
productivity issues. These are the first few cases in England
where animals have shown clinical signs and been unwell from
infection with bluetongue.
These detections are a clear reminder of the threat of the
disease: farmers and their vets must remain vigilant and report
any suspicions to APHA.
Bluetongue virus is primarily transmitted by midge bites and
affects cattle, goats, sheep, goats, deer and camelids such as
llamas and alpacas. The impacts on susceptible animals can vary
greatly – some show no clinical signs or effects at all while for
others it can cause productivity issues such as reduced milk
yield, while in the most severe cases can be fatal for infected
animals.
It does not affect people, and meat and milk from infected
animals are safe to eat and drink.
BTV is a notifiable disease. Suspicion of BTV in animals in
England must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on
03000 200 301.
In Wales, suspected disease should be reported to the Animal and
Plant Health Agency on 03003 038 268.
In Scotland, you should contact your local Field
Services Office if you suspect bluetongue. In Northern
Ireland please report to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or
by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.
More information about bluetongue is available
here.
