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 7 January 2024

Following active surveillance in the Norfolk temporary control zone (TCZ), 4 further cases of bluetongue in cattle have been identified on 2 new premises in the existing TCZ.

All 4 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, camelids and other ruminants in the zone.

This brings the total number of cases in England to 44 infected animals on 24 premises. There is still no evidence that bluetongue virus is currently circulating in midges in Great Britain. Surveillance is ongoing.

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

Update 5 January 2024

Following active surveillance in thenorth-east Kent temporary control zone (TCZ), 3 further cases of bluetongue in cattle have been identified in the existingTCZin the Deal area.

Following active surveillance in the Norfolk temporary control zone (TCZ), 1 further case of bluetongue in cattle has been identified in the existing TCZ.

Update 4 January 2024

Following active surveillance in thenorth-east Kent temporary control zone (TCZ), 1 further case of bluetongue in a bull has been identified in the existing TCZ in the Deal area.

Update 24 December 2023

Following active surveillance in thenorth-east Kent temporary control zone (TCZ), 1 further case of bluetongue in a cow has been identified in the Sandwich Bay area in theTCZ.

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 only allowed under limited circumstances. Movements into, out of 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
• theTCZto go direct to slaughter at a designated slaughterhouse in the free area (all new slaughterhouse designations are subject to review and risk assessment)

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.

How bluetongue is spread

Bluetongue virus is mostly spread by certain species of biting midges (Culicoides species), many of whichcan be found throughout Great Britain.

Midges are infected wit

View the original news story