On 22 nd September 2007, laboratory tests detected the presence of Bluetongue in one cow on a premises near Ipswich, Suffolk . This was the first time Bluetongue virus had been recorded in the UK . The disease, caused by a virus spread by midges, affects ruminants but not pigs, horses or humans. Check the declarations and maps to see if your premises are in a Zone. All movement licence conditions for both Bluetongue and, where appropriate, Foot and Mouth Disease must be complied with. Surveillance and epidemiological investigations are continuing.

For the latest information on Bluetongue, please click on the following link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/latest/index.htm

The strain of Bluetongue virus detected has been identified as Serotype 8. This is the strain found in Belgium , France Germany, Luxembourg and Netherlands since August 2006. Prevailing winds could potentiallly have spread infected midges from affected areas in Europe to the UK . Defra is not currently authorising any imports of animals from a Bluetongue restricted zone.

Bluetongue is a disease of animals. It does not affect humans. This is a disease of ruminants, including sheep, cattle, deer, camelids and goats. Bluetongue virus cannot naturally be transmitted directly between animals. It is transmitted by the movement of midges or by movements of infected animals if they are subsequently bitten by midges.

The vector-borne nature of the disease (and distribution of vectors) ensures that the risk of disease spread can only be mitigated against to a degree (i.e. 100% protection from vectors cannot be guarenteed). Peak populations of vector Culicoides occur in the late summer and autumn and therefore this is the time when Bluetongue is most commonly seen.

From initial studies it can be roughly estimated that a midge can travel up to 1.5 - 2km a day in a local area. However, if caught in suitable meteorological conditions midges can be carried much farther distances, especially over water masses i.e. more than 200 km. All of these details are an approximation and vary according to local environmental, topographical and meteorological conditions.

Clinical signs can vary by species - although symptoms are generally more severe in sheep, cattle can occasionally show signs of disease. Cattle are important in epidemiology of the bluetongue as they act as an often silent source of BTV – a reservoir for disease and keep the infection circulating. It is important to be vigilant, especially in the case of sheep. If you suspect any signs of the disease you must report this immediately to your local Animal Health Office.

Clinical signs in sheep:

•  Eye and nasal discharges

•  Drooling as a result of ulcerations in the mouth

•  High body temperature

•  Swelling of the mouth, head and neck

•  Lameness

•  Haemorrhages into or under the skin

•  Inflammation at the junction of the skin and the horn of the foot – the coronary band

•  Respiratory problems – difficulty with breathing and nasal discharge

•  A blue tongue is rarely a clinical sign of infection

•  Fever

•  Tiredness

Deaths of sheep in a flock may reach as high as 70 per cent. Animals that survive the disease can lose condition with a reduction in meat and wool production.

Clinical signs in cattle:

It is possible that cattle will show no signs of illness, however clinical signs have included:

•  Nasal discharge

•  Swelling of the head and neck

•  Conjunctivitis (runny eyes)

•  Swelling in, and ulceration, of the mouth

•  Swollen teats

•  Tiredness

•  Saliva drooling out of the mouth

•  Fever

In cattle, the disease cannot be diagnosed on clinical grounds and requires laboratory testing for confirmation.

How to report the disease

If you suspect one of your animals has Bluetongue, it is vital to report it as early as possible. Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Telephone your nearest Animal Health Office immediately or call the Defra helpline on: 08459 335577 to find your nearest office.

How is bluetongue controlled

The default measures aimed at preventing disease spread involves restricting animal movement and vector mitigation.

• Veterinary investigation on suspect premises, and restrictions (including a ban on movement of susceptible animals on and off the premises).
• On Confirmation, restrictions remain in place and are extended to a zone of 20km radius around the infected premises (IP).
• Two wider zones must also be declared:
• The Protection Zone (at least 100km radius around an IP)
• The Surveillance Zone (at least 50km in radius beyond the PZ).
• Movement of susceptible animals out of these zones are banned (although animals can move freely within those zones) and we must implement surveillance programmes.
• We have some flexibility in demarcating the zones (with Commission agreement), but various factors must be taken into account.