UK hit with bluetongue virus warning as outbreak restricted zone widens
The bluetongue restriction zone has been extended after cases were discovered outside of the current restricted zone, with new cases coming as the UK is in a seasonally vector low period
UK farmers have been issued a warning as the bluetongue restriction zone has been widened. It comes after new cases were detected in Cheshire and Cumbria, outside the initial restricted areas.
Bluetongue is an infectious disease triggered by the bluetongue virus and predominantly spread through the bite of midges. The virus targets sheep, cattle, and other ruminants such as deer, goats, and camelids including llamas and alpacas, according to the UK government. Although sheep tend to exhibit more pronounced symptoms of bluetongue compared to cattle, both can be affected by the virus. Symptoms in sheep showing signs of the disease can include various clinical indicators.
In response to a case found in Dorset, DEFRA alongside the Animal Health and Plant Agency has expanded the restriction zone. The updated zone now includes parts of Dorset, additional areas of Wiltshire, segments of Somerset, and East Devon territories.
“The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain for the 2024 to 2025 vector season is 212 (210 in England and 2 (high risk moves) in Wales). The total number of BTV-12 cases in Great Britain for the 2024 to 2025 vector season is 1 (in England),” according to government figures, reports the Liverpool Echo.
An expansion of the restricted zone was executed on February 14 following the discovery of the virus in cattle within Dorset. This action is part of the government’s winter surveillance strategy aimed at containing and curbing the spread of this notifiable disease.
The UK is currently in a seasonally vector low period, indicating that the risk of bluetongue transmission is now very low. However, farmers are still required to obtain a licence to move animals or germinal product out of a restricted zone, arrange for a pre-movement test for all animals moving out of the restricted zone (unless for slaughter), and apply for a licence to freeze germinal products within restricted zones.
There have been 16 cases of BTV-3 detected in premises which are now outside the current restricted zone. These premises are located in Bath, North East Somerset (BANES), Somerset, Shropshire, Cheshire, Cumbria, Anglesey, Gwynedd, North Yorkshire and Cornwall.
The animals were transported to these premises from areas where the disease is now known to be circulating, but the moves occurred before bluetongue restrictions were implemented.
