GovWire

Bluetongue affects:

• sheep
• cattle
• other ruminants such as deer and goats
• camelids such as llamas

It does not affect people or food safety, but outbreaks can result in prolonged animal movement and trade restrictions.

The last outbreak in England, Scotland or Wales was in 2007.

Latest situation

Update 16 December 2023

Following active surveillance in the north-east Kent Temporary Control Zone (TCZ), a further 3 cases of bluetongue in cattle have been identified in the Sandwich Bay area from the same herd as the 5 positives confirmed yesterday on 15 December.

The holding is situated in the existingTCZ.

All 3 animals will be humanely culled to minimise the risk of onward transmission. TheTCZis not being extended and movement restrictions continue to apply to cattle, sheep and other ruminants in the zone.

This brings the total number of cases to 22 on 8 different holdings. There is currently still no evidence that bluetongue virus is circulating in Great Britain. Surveillance is ongoing.

Check if youre in a zone on thebluetongue disease control zone map.

Update 15 December 2023

Following active surveillance in the north-east Kent Temporary Control Zone (TCZ), a further 5 cases of bluetongue in cattle have been identified on a holding in the Sandwich Bay area.

The holding is situated in the existingTCZ.

All 5 animals will be humanely culled to minimise the risk of onward transmission. TheTCZis not being extended and movement restrictions continue to apply to cattle, sheep and other ruminants in the Zone.

This brings the total number of cases to 19 on 8 different holdings. There is currently still no evidence that bluetongue virus is circulating in Great Britain. Surveillance is ongoing.

Check if youre in a zone on thebluetongue disease control zone map.

Update 14 December 2023

Following active surveillance in the north-east Kent TCZ, a further 3 cases of bluetongue in cattle have been identified on a holding in the Sandwich Bay area. The holding is situated in the existing TCZ. All three animals will be humanely culled to minimise the risk of onward transmission. The TCZ is not being extended and movement restrictions continue to apply to cattle, sheep and other ruminants in the Zone.

Update 8 December 2023

Following routine surveillance, a further 2 cases of bluetongue in cattle have been identified on a farm near Cantley, Broadland, Norfolk. A 10km TCZ has been declared around the premises and both animals will be humanely culled to minimise the risk of onward transmission. Movement restrictions apply to cattle, sheep and other ruminants.

All bluetongue disease control zones

Finddetails of all bluetongue disease control zones in England.

Check if youre in a zone on thebluetongue disease control zone map.

Bluetongue risk

A number of different types (serotypes) of bluetongue are currently circulating in Europe including:

• BTV-3
• BTV-4
• BTV-8

Bluetongue could spread to the UK if infected midges are carried across the channel by the wind. The south and east coasts of England are at highest risk. The exact level of risk depends on the:

• level of disease in nearby areas of Europe
• weather conditions, particularly wind speed and direction
• temperature

Bluetongue could also spread into the UK if infected animals, blood or germinal products, are imported from countries where bluetongue is circulating.

Bluetongue has been reported in a number of European countries. See thecurrentoutbreak assessmentsand thetopical issues pagefor more detail.

You should discuss the risks ofimporting stock fromBTVaffected countrieswith your vet.

Vaccination is available for some types of bluetongue. You should discussvaccinating your herd or flockwith your vet.

Movement licences

Animal movements out of the temporary control zone (TCZ) are not allowed until we have a better assessment of the disease situation. Movements into or within the zone are only allowed under licence.

However, you can apply for a specific movement licence if theres an urgent and genuine welfare need to move animals, or you need to move animals from:

• a premises within the TCZ to another premises within the TCZ
• the free area into the TCZ permanently (for example, breeding stock)
• the free area or within the TCZ to go direct to slaughter within the TCZ
• the TCZ to go direct to slaughter at a designated abattoir in the free area within 100 miles of the premises of origin

How to spot bluetongue

If you keep livestock, you must continue to keep a close watch for, and report, any suspicion of bluetongue disease in your animals.

In sheep

Sheep are more likely to show obvious clinical signs of Bluetongue than cattle if they become infected. Signs of bluetongue in sheep include:

• ulcers or sores in the mouth and nose
• discharge from the eyes or nose and drooling from mouth
• swelling of the lips, tongue, head and neck and the coronary band (where the skin of the leg meets the horn of the foot)

Other clinical signs include:

• red skin as a result of blood collecting beneath the surface
• fever
• lameness
• breathing problems
• abortion
• death

In cattle

Signs of the disease include:

• lethargy
• crusty erosions around the nostrils and muzzle
• redness of the mouth, eyes, nose
• reddening of the skin above the hoof
• nasal discharge
• reddening and erosions on the teats
• fever
• milk drop
• not eating
• abortion

Adult cattle may serve as a source of virus for several weeks while displaying little or no clinical signs of disease and are often the preferred host for insect vectors.

In calves

Calves can become infected with bluetongue (BTV-8) before birth if the mother is infected while pregnant. Signs of infection include:

• calves born small, weak, deformed or blind
• death of calves within a few days of birth
• abortions

Livestock keepers and vets should consider bluetongue as a possible cause for calves showing these signs.

Photos of clinical signs

Weve published some photos of clinical signs of bluetongue disease on Flickr.

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