The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer has urged farmers to remain vigilant for bluetongue virus after the disease was found 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.
Active surveillance in Kent and Norfolk Temporary Control Zones has now identified further cases in cattle and sheep. Temporary control zones have been put in place around the affected farms in Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk, restricting the movement of susceptible animals except under licence.
There is currently no evidence that there is circulating virus. Surveillance is ongoing.
Find out more information on the latest situation and guidance.
Bluetongue does not affect people or food safety. The virus is transmitted by midge bites and affects cattle, goats, sheep and other 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 symptoms 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.
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.
Reduced midge activity and changes to disease control measures
Due to a decrease in temperature midge activity is much lower with midges (the disease vector) not actively feeding. Low temperatures also mean that the virus cannot replicate in the midge, so even if a midge does feed on an infected animal, the risk of transmission to another animal is very low. This is called a low vector period.
Considering current environmental and vector conditions, we have taken the decision not to cull infected animals where test results indicate older infection and the presence of BTV antibodies. Infected animals may still be restricted at their current locations and other disease mitigation measures taken as appropriate.
The reduced risk from midges means that some movements of live animals out of the zone can now be temporarily permitted if they meet certain conditions including testing negative in a pre-movement test. We have also eased the restrictions on movements of animals within the Temporary Control Zones (TCZs) and will allow movements of animals into the Zones.
Surveillance of susceptible animals and epidemiological assessments within the TCZs will continue. We will keep the situation under review.
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.
Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss 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 detections are an example of our robust disease surveillance procedures in action and it is also a clear reminder for farmers that the disease remains a threat, despite coming towards the end of the midge activity season.
“We are now in a seasonally low vector period, when midge activity is much lower and there is reduced risk of disease, however 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 some licence restrictions on movements can now be eased.
“APHA teams will continue to work closely with farmers as these changes take effect to issue licences when conditions are met and ensure moves can take place where there is no risk of disease spreading.”
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.
