Bluetongue Virus
October 23, 2024
An update on Bluetongue virus (BTV-3) 📣
The evolving situation regarding the virus in Somerset and Wiltshire mainly involves monitoring and management of the disease in livestock. Bluetongue is a viral disease transmitted by midges and affect ruminants, most notably sheep, leading to significant health issues and economic impact.
Be aware that not all infected animals will show clinical signs of the disease, and signs in cattle tend to be more subtle than those in sheep. Clinical signs include:
- Ulcers or sores in the mouth and nose
- Discharge from the eyes or nose
- Drooling
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, head and neck
- Lesions around the coronary band
- Reddening / crusting of the teats
- Lameness
- Lethargy
- Inappetence
- Fever
- Milk drop
- Abortion, foetal deformities and stillbirths
- Death
As of the 4th October, the restricted zone and infected area has been expanded to include most of the East of the UK:
- Bedfordshire
- Cambridgeshire
- City of Kingston upon Hull
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- East Sussex, Essex
- Greater London
- Part of Hampshire
- Hertfordshire
- Kent
- Part of Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Norfolk
- Part of Northamptonshire
- Nottinghamshire
- Suffolk
- Surrey
- West Sussex
More locally, such as in Bath and Northeast Somerset, individual cases have also been identified outside of the restricted zones. These were cases in which infected animals were moved from their original farm where the virus was circulating. All infected animals have been culled, and those premises are under restrictions. Testing is ongoing to ensure there has been no further local spread. In terms of livestock sales, animals can be moved from restricted zones under license, however must undergo testing pre- and post-movement.
The current strain of bluetongue – BTV-3 – is different to the previous strain that has occurred in the UK – BTV-8. Previous vaccines have only protected against this original strain. A new vaccine is therefore available to use under a general licence for farms within the high-risk area, or under a specific licence for those farms outside the high-risk counties. It is a suppressive vaccine, in that it reduces the severity of clinical signs of infected animals, but does not offer protection from infection.
If you would like any further information please do not hesitate to call the practice on 01373 451115 or check out the Bluetongue resource hub: Home – Ruminant Health & Welfare (ruminanthw.org.uk)