The UK’s chief veterinary officer has today (Friday, August 16) issued a fresh call for “renewed vigilance and responsible sourcing of livestock” because of a rising number of bluetongue virus (BTV) cases in Europe.
Christine Middlemiss said that BTV outbreaks are increasing in Europe and urged farmers to “remain vigilant to the threat of disease spread”.
“If you suspect disease in your animals please report,” she said.
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease in the UK.
The chief veterinary officer has advised farmers that if they intend to move animals to live out of high-risk counties, including if they are buying in new animals, to take advantage of the free testing scheme to help stop the movement of non-clinical disease.
“Bluetongue does not pose a threat to human health or food safety, but the disease can impact livestock farms, and damage animal and business productivity,” she said.
Free testing is available for anyone who is moving animals from the highest risk counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent and East Sussex to elsewhere in Great Britain
Bluetongue
The latest outbreak assessment from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) suggests there are a growing number of cases of bluetongue virus in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium, with over 4,000 recorded new cases reported since May 2024.
The first ever cases of BTV have also been confirmed in France, Luxembourg and Denmark, while the virus strain has successfully overwintered in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.
Although the overall risk level for an incursion of BTV into Great Britain remains at “medium”, there is a risk of infected midges being blown over from northern Europe and continues to depend on weather conditions.
Bluetongue virus is primarily transmitted by midge bites and affects cattle, goats, sheep and camelids such as llamas.
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs the impacts on susceptible animals can vary greatly – some show no clinical signs or effects at all while for others it can cause productivity issues such as reduced milk yield.
In the most severe cases BTV can be fatal for infected animals.
However it does not affect people, and meat and milk from infected animals are safe to eat and drink.
