Latest bluetongue virus update
This page will be updated regularly with resources and information – for any queries email RuminantHW@ahdb.org.uk.
Latest bluetongue announcement – 7/5/24
Advice for farmers to ‘ACT’ on BTV-3
Farmers and the industry must remain Aware, apply Caution and use evidence-based Tactics to ACT and mitigate against the latest strain BTV-3.
Following a technical AHDB meeting with the support of Ruminant Health & Welfare, Lesley Stubbings, sheep consultant and SCOPS adviser (Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep) says: “The fact is, a single bite from a single infected midge will reliably transmit BTV-3.
“This means that trying to control midges is futile and is not going to impact on the risk of BTV-3 transmission. It is crucial that we ACT with this knowledge in mind.”
Speaking as a spokesperson for the working technical group, Ms Stubbings says: “We’re recommending that farmers are aware of the facts and avoid misinformation to prevent unnecessary actions and costs.
Read more: Advice for farmers to ‘ACT’ on BTV-3 – Ruminant Health & Welfare (ruminanthw.org.uk)
Bluetongue virus risk set out for the year ahead
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) confirms a very high probability of a new introduction of bluetongue virus (BTV-3) into Great Britain.
- Bluetongue does not pose a threat to human health or food safety.
- Chief Vet urges farmers to remain vigilant.
The latest risk assessment of bluetongue virus entering Great Britain during 2024 has been published by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) today (7 May) following an outbreak in England last year.
Latest situation: End of the seasonal low vector period
We are out of the seasonal low vector period. This is because biting midge activity has increased with the warmer Spring weather. We are planning for a possible increase of bluetongue virus over the coming months as the weather warms and the risk of infected biting midges blowing over from northern Europe increases.
More information about bluetongue is available on gov.uk/www.gov.uk/bluetongue.
A current list of designated abattoirs is now available here.
Temporary control zone update (TCZ) – 12/2/24
If you are concerned about the welfare of animals that have tested positive and are not allowed to move, please contact APHA.
APHA are in the process of completing testing animals in the former TCZ. However, if you need to move untested animals urgently, you are permitted to ask your private vet to complete the testing for you. You would need to pay for the vet’s time, but the cost of the laboratory testing will be met by Defra. Details on what your vet needs to do in this situation is given below in the advice section.
Bluetongue is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.
Additional Resources
- RH&W – Advice for farmers to ‘ACT’ on BTV-3 – 07.05.24
- RH&W – Scottish bluetongue leaflet – 28.03.24
- RH&W – Where you in a TCZ flowchart for farmers – 21.02.24
- RH&W – Latest bluetongue announcement
- DEFRA – Bluetongue Flyer – 16.02.24
- DEFRA – How to spot and report the disease
- GOV.WALES – Bluetongue
- GOV.SCOTLAND – Bluetongue
- DAERA – Bluetongue
- AHDB – Bluetongue
- NFU – Bluetongue – the latest info and updates
- NADIS – Bluetongue in cattle and sheep
- The Pirbright Institute – Bluetongue virus
- World Organisation for Animal Health –Bluetongue
- NSA – Sheep farmers warned to remain vigilant amid first Bluetongue case in sheep
What is bluetongue?
Bluetongue (BTV) is a viral disease transmitted by biting midges, which affects all ruminants (e.g. sheep, cattle, goats and deer) and camelids (e.g. llama and alpaca).
The latest strain, BTV-3 appear to mimic BTV-8 in its behaviour, however the existing BTV-8 serotype vaccine will not offer cross protection against this new strain.
Advice for farmers
RH&W’s advice to farmers and their vets remains three-fold, farmers need to beware when buying animals in, take action to report any signs, and always, remain vigilant:
- Buyer beware, source animals from Europe responsibly and request pre-movement testing.
- Take action, prioritise biosecurity and report any suspicious clinical signs.
- Vigilance is key, monitor livestock closely.
To ‘act’ on BTV-3, be aware of how bluetongue is transmitted as a vector-borne disease, take caution against misinformation, and promote evidence-based tactics on-farm.
- Awareness of how BTV-3 is transmitted as a vector-borne disease
- Caution against any misinformation, but instead view the latest facts
- Tactics on-farm to help with midge control must be evidence-based