Farmers reminded of bluetongue risk
The last confirmed case in England was in March.
The UK’s chief veterinary officer is urging farmers to remain vigilant for bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) after a recent increase in cases in northern Europe.
The Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium have all detected new cases of the virus, with the Netherlands alone seeing more than 200 cases. Some of the animals have shown severe clinical signs.
Although the virus is not currently circulating in Great Britain, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has said that there remains a very high probability of the disease being introduced by infected midges blown over from Europe.
The counties considered most at risk are Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent and East Sussex. Surveillance measures are continuing and some free testing has been made available in areas where the risk if highest.
Last November, the first case of bluetongue since 2007 was confirmed at a farm in Kent. A total of 126 cases have been detected in England, but there have not been any confirmed cases since March.
Jenny Stewart, interim chief executive at APHA, said: “The recent increase in cases in Europe underlines how important it is for farmers and animal keepers to continue monitoring their livestock and to take up the offer of free testing where necessary.
“APHA’s risk assessment confirmed there is a very high chance of bluetongue virus entering Great Britain this year, and our world-leading scientists, vets and field teams stand ready to tackle an outbreak of bluetongue virus and ensure farmers are kept up to date and supported.”
BTV is a notifiable disease. Any suspicion of the disease in animals in England must be reported to APHA on 03000 200 301.
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Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
