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New areas added to bluetongue restricted zone
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease.
Over 170 cases have been identified during this vector period.

The bluetongue restricted zone has been extended to include additional parts of Berkshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire after new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) were confirmed in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

The new case were discovered close to the previous boundary of the restricted zone.

The zone now covers Bedfordshire, part of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Greater London, part of Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, part of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, part of North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, part of Oxfordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, part of Warwickshire, West Sussex, and part of Wiltshire.

As of 11 December, the total number of BTV-3 cases during the 2024/25 vector season is 173 in England and two in Wales.

Susceptible animals in the restricted zone must only be moved if it is absolutely essential. A specific licence is required to move a susceptible animal from inside the restricted zone to outside it.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. Suspected cases in Northern Ireland should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the area where movement restrictions apply can be found here.

Image © Shutterstock

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Prof Joanne Webster elected as Fellow of the Royal Society

News Story 1
 Joanne Webster, a professor of parasitic diseases at the RVC, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).

An infectious disease expert, Prof Webster is known for promoting a One Health approach to disease control.

She completed her doctoral research in zoonotic disease and parasite-host interactions, and has since earned widespread recognition for contributions to parasitology and global health.

Prof Webster said: "I am truly honoured, and somewhat stunned, to be recognised alongside such an exceptional group of scientists." 

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News Shorts
Germany FMD import restrictions eased

The UK government has lifted the import restrictions placed on FMD-susceptible commodities from Germany.

The decision comes after the country was recognised as foot-and-mouth disease free without vaccination on 14 May.

Imports of FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products from Germany were originally banned, after the country reported a case of FMD near Brandenburg in January. In March, the UK government permitted imports from outside of the outbreak zone.

Germany will now be able to import FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products into the UK, providing they meet other import conditions.

The decision follows rigorous technical assessment of measures in Germany. Defra says it will not hesitate respond to FMD outbreaks.