The UK Chief Veterinary Officer has set out further measures to
mitigate the spread of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3).
Bluetongue virus is primarily transmitted by midge bites and
affects cattle, goats, sheep, goats, deer and camelids, such as
llamas and alpacas, with case numbers now increasing dramatically
in northern Europe.
The disease is damaging and can reduce milk yield, cause
sickness, and reduce reproductive performance. In the most severe
cases, it can cause death with all of these outcomes impacting
farmers' incomes.
The changes introduced include:
- A restricted zone (RZ) in Kent has been extended to cover the
entire county and will now also cover East Sussex.
- An extended restricted zone (RZ) will replace the temporary
control zone (TCZ) in force in the East Riding of Yorkshire and
parts of Lincolnshire. East Riding and Lincolnshire have also
been designated High-Risk counties which means that keepers not
covered by the new zone will be eligible for free testing.
Keepers will also be eligible to vaccinate their animals using
the new
general licence.
This comes as the Secretary of State permitted
the use of 3 unauthorised bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3)
vaccines subject to license within the United Kingdom.
The vaccines can reduce some of the clinical signs experienced by
animals with the disease. They do not prevent infection.
All keepers of susceptible animals (cattle, sheep, goats, deer
and other ruminants and camelids including llamas and alpacas) in
the restricted zones will need to follow strict rules on animal
and germ cell product movements.
These restrictions mean that susceptible animals cannot be moved
out of the zone without a specific licence. A general licence to
move animals to designated abattoirs is also available. Movements
within a zone are also permitted.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss
said:
“As the number of bluetongue cases continues to rise in England
and northern Europe, we are taking prompt action to mitigate the
spread of the disease.
“I urge farmers within bluetongue control zones to adhere to
restrictions and remain vigilant to prevent the disease spreading
to their herds.
“We appreciate the impact restrictions can have on farmers and
are committed to working with everyone affected. We will continue
to keep control zones under review as our understanding of the
disease picture develops.”
Animal and Plant Health Agency Chief Executive Jenny
Stewart said:
“Since the first BTV-3 case for this season was detected last
month, case numbers have continued to rise, and I want to remind
keepers of the importance of monitoring their livestock and
taking up free testing where necessary.
“Scientists, vets and field teams from the Animal and Plant
Health Agency are working hard to help tackle bluetongue virus
and ensure farmers are kept up to date and supported.”
Livestock keepers can view more information about
bluetongue here.
Check the list of all
bluetongue cases and control zones and view
the bluetongue
interactive map.
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.
