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First bluetongue cases confirmed in Wales
Bluetongue has never previously been detected in Wales.
Virus detected in sheep transported from England.

Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) has been confirmed for the first time in Wales after three sheep transported from the East of England to a premises in Gwynedd tested positive.

The disease has also been detected outside of the restricted zone in England at a premises in Bath, Somerset. As with the case in Gwynedd, the infected animal had been moved from an area where the disease is now known to be circulating.

In both cases, the infected animals have been culled and the premises placed under restrictions. Further investigations are being carried out to determine if additional control measures are needed.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has also reported that a case has been discovered in an animal imported into Devon. The other animals in the consignment all tested negative. The infected animal has been culled and the other animals will undergo repeat testing.

Farmers have been urged to be vigilant for signs of BTV-3 and to practise safe-sourcing when acquiring livestock.

Gavin Watkins, Wales’ deputy chief veterinary officer, said: “It is important to talk to your vet and practise safe-sourcing of livestock to protect our herds and flocks and keep any further disease out of Wales.

“I would urge all farmers and others who keep ruminants and camelids to be vigilant for the signs of bluetongue and to report any suspect cases to APHA immediately.

“We have been raising awareness of the disease with vets and industry and appreciate their help in communicating the risks to animal keepers in Wales.”

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03003 038 268 in Wales or 03000 200 301 in England. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office.

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BEVA gives RVNs right to vote

News Story 1
 The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is to allow its registered veterinary nurse (RVN) members the right to vote.

RVN members will now be able to take part in key decision-making processes and stand for BEVA council.

Marie Rippingale, chair of BEVA's Nurse Committee, said: "I am very proud to be a part of BEVA.

"This change will help to empower nurses to speak up and contribute, but more importantly, it will give them an opportunity to collaborate with other members of the equine veterinary profession to bring about change that is positive for all." 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Farmer survey to reveal on-farm impact of bluetongue

A nationwide survey has been launched to better understand how the bluetongue virus is affecting UK farms.

Results will inform the support that farmers receive for bluetongue, as well as preparing the livestock industry for the future.

The short online survey is open to all livestock farmers, regardless of whether they've had a confirmed case of bluetongue on their farm. It asks how many animals have been affected, the severity of their clinical signs and how it has impacted farm business.

The survey takes five minutes to complete and is fully anonymous.

It is led by Fiona Lovatt, of Flock Health Limited, and the Ruminant Health & Welfare bluetongue working group, in collaboration with AHDB and the University of Nottingham.

Dr Lovatt says: "We need to find out what level of clinical signs farmers are seeing in their animals, whether they are experiencing mortality with BTV-3 cases, and what their appetite is to vaccinate in future for bluetongue serotype 3."

The survey can be found here.