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Free bluetongue tests now available in high-risk counties
The most recent case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed in March 2024.
Livestock keepers can apply for testing before moving or selling animals.

Free bluetongue testing has been made available to livestock keepers in areas of England where there is considered to be a high risk of the virus being introduced.

The tests are free for livestock being moved from high-risk counties to live in other parts of Great Britain and for animals being sold at a market in a high-risk county where there will be buyers from outside the high-risk counties.

The high-risk countries, all along the east coast of England, are Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent and East Sussex.

Between November 2023 and March 2024, there were 126 confirmed cases of BTV-3 in England. Although there are have been no confirmed cases of the virus since 8 March 2024, there is considered to be a very high chance that bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) will be reintroduced to livestock in Great Britain this year by windborne midges from northern Europe.

There is ongoing surveillance of both midges and susceptible animals. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is also currently engaging with vaccine manufacturers about the development of a safe and effective vaccine for BTV-3.

Christine Middlemiss, UK chief veterinary officer, said: “Bluetongue does not pose a threat to human health or food safety, but the disease can impact livestock farms, and cause productivity issues.

“We know that the likelihood of bluetongue virus entering Great Britain is increasing and so I would urge farmers to remain vigilant and report any suspicions to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

“If you intend to move animals to live out of high-risk counties please take advantage of this free testing as it will help stop the movement of undetected disease.”

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease and any suspicion of it in animals in England must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03000 200 301.

Details about how to apply for free testing can be found here.

Image © Shutterstock

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.