Chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance
“BTV outbreaks in Europe are on the rise and we must remain vigilant to the threat of disease spread” – Christine Middlemiss.
The UK's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has reminded farmers of the risk posed by bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) following a growing number of cases in Europe.
Earlier this month, BTV-3 was detected in Luxembourg, France and Denmark for the first time.
There have also more than 4,000 recorded cases of the virus in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium after the strain successfully overwintered in all three countries.
The UK's CVO Christine Middlemiss has urged farmers to regularly check for signs of the disease and make the most of the free testing scheme available in the counties at highest risk.
Free testing is available for animals moving from Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent and East Sussex to elsewhere in Great Britain, including animals sold at market within a high-risk country and moved elsewhere.
Dr Middlemiss said: “BTV outbreaks in Europe are on the rise and we must remain vigilant to the threat of disease spread. If you suspect disease in your animals please report.
“If you intend to move animals to live out of high-risk counties, including if you are buying in new animals, please take advantage of the free testing scheme to help stop the movement of non-clinical disease.”
The current overall risk of incursion into Great Britain is considered to be medium, according to the latest outbreak assessment from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
However, the risk of the disease being brought over by infected midges blown over from Northern Europe is variable depending on weather conditions.
APHA's interim chief executive Jenny Stewart added: “The Animal and Plant Health Agency’s latest outbreak assessment sets out the scale of bluetongue cases across Europe and underlines how important it is for farmers and animal keepers to monitor their livestock and to take up the offer of free testing where necessary.
“Our scientists, vets and field teams stand ready to tackle an outbreak of bluetongue virus and ensure farmers are kept up to date and supported.”
Bluetongue 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.
