Bluetongue virus – Latest situation: TCZsEnd toof bethe liftedseasonal low vector period

The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer has urged farmers to remain vigilant for bluetongue virus after the disease was found cattle and sheep in Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Pirbright Institute identified the first case of the disease in November through Great Britain’s annual bluetongue surveillance programme. 

Current situation

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Surveillance of susceptible animals and epidemiological assessments will continue. We will keep the situation under review.

Find out more information on the latest situation and guidance.

Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:  

“Bluetongue does not pose a threat to human health or food safety, but the disease can affect livestock reducing farm productivity.

“We are now in a seasonally low vector period, when midge activity is much lower and there is reduced risk of disease, meaning we can lift the temporary control zones.”

“However, our robust disease surveillance procedures continue, and I urge farmers to remain vigilant and report any suspicions to APHA.”

Aled Edwards, Head of Field Delivery England, Animal and Plant Health Agency said:  

“The current environmental and vector conditions mean that the temporary control zones in place can soon be lifted, and where there is no risk of disease spreading, farmers will be able to resume movements of animals. Where there is a known disease risk, or unknown risk status, APHA will contact these premises directly to restrict specific animals within the premises.”

“APHA teams will continue to work closely with farmers to ensure that keepers and businesses are kept up to date, and that questions and concerns are addressed promptly.”

Bluetongue does not affect people or food safety. The virus is primarily transmitted by midge bites and affects cattle, goats, sheep and camelids such as llamas. The midges are most active between April and November and not all susceptible animals show immediate, or any, signs of contracting the virus. 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.

The virus can also be spread through germplasm (semen, ova, and embryos) as well as transmitted from mother to unborn offspring. 

Strict rules on the movement of livestock from regions affected by bluetongue are already in place and farmers are reminded that animals imported from these regions must be accompanied by the relevant paperwork to clearly show they meet certain conditions designed to reduce disease risk, such as correct vaccination.

Following confirmation of BTV in a non-imported animal in England, some trading partners may restrict exports of bluetongue susceptible animals or their products. The latest information on availability of individual export health certificates can be found on Gov.uk.

NI and GB ruminants cannot be exported from an GB Assembly Centre to the European Union or moved to Northern Ireland until further notice.

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 

More information about bluetongue is available here.