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What is bluetongue?
Bluetongue disease is caused by a virus transmitted by biting midges, which are most active between May and October. Transmission can also occur in pregant animals, the virus can cross the placenta and cause congenital defects in the offspring. Bluetongue virus can infect all ruminants (e.g. sheep, cattle, goats and deer) and camelids (e.g. llama and alpaca). Sheep are most severely affected by the disease. Cattle, although infected more frequently than sheep, do not always show signs of the disease.
Outbreaks of bluetongue affect farm incomes through reduced milk yield, sickness, reduced reproductive performance (failed pregnancies, abortion, central nervous system deformities in the calf or lamb) or, in severe cases, the death of adult animals.
Bluetongue virus does not affect people and consumption of meat and milk from infected animals is safe.
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. That means if you suspect an animal is showing signs of disease you must tell the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) immediately. Failure to do so is an offence.
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Current situation
14 May 2019: Livestock farmers urged to follow guidance to prevent Bluetongue spreading to UK
The NFU has joined other organisations from across the livestock sector to urge farmers to think carefully about importing animals from areas that are known to be infected with bluetongue (BTV) virus.
The midge-borne disease has continued to circulate around Europe with cases being reported in France, Switzerland, Cyprus, Portugal, Spain, Greece and Italy and more recently in Germany and Belgium. Farmers should keep up with news on which countries are affected as these can change regularly as the vector active season (typically April-November) progresses. The UK is officially bluetongue free and the risk status is currently low, although this may change in the coming months.
Importing livestock from BTV regions
Livestock farmers are being urged to think carefully about importing animals from areas that are known to be infected with Bluetongue virus.
The call comes after the virus was found, following post-import testing, in imported animals several times in less than 12 months. The infected animals have been slaughtered and no compensation was paid.
The midge-borne disease has been circulating around Europe with cases being reported in France, Switzerland, Cyprus, Portugal, Spain, Greece and Italy.
A cross-industry statement* said: “Bringing in diseases into the UK such as bluetongue would have severe consequences on the health and welfare of our livestock, which can result in widespread movement restrictions and costly surveillance testing.
“In addition to these costs, if there is spread into the national herd or flock, the country loses disease-free status, which can have a significant impact on trade.
“In order to continue to protect our herds and flocks, both locally, regionally and nationally, we must be vigilant when importing livestock from high risk areas, and perhaps even reconsider importing animals from areas where BTV is present.
“Importers need to be aware of the risks to the national herd and at the very least must consider pre-export testing consignments of animals imported from BTV affected areas. Such tests should provide confirmation of the BTV and vaccination status of the animals. The movement of herds or flocks should then be restricted until the required post-import testing is carried out. If imported animals are found to be infected with bluetongue, they will be culled, with no compensation.
“Any premises found to have bluetongue infected animals will then be placed under strict animal movement restrictions for a number of weeks, while extensive surveillance is carried out.
“Our message to all livestock keepers is to discuss any imports with their vets and consider choosing non-BTV restricted areas for the supply of stock.”
The three Chief Veterinary Officers of Great Britain said: “Bluetongue does not pose a threat to human health or food safety, but the disease can have a serious impact on farming productivity by causing infertility in sheep (which is particularly important at this time of year), and reduced milk yields in dairy cattle.
“The recent detection of bluetongue in imported sheep and cattle is another example of our robust disease surveillance procedures in action, and highlights to farmers the risks that come with bringing animals from disease-affected areas into their flocks and herds. It is also a clear reminder for farmers that the disease remains a threat, despite coming towards the end of the season when midges are less active.
“Farmers must remain vigilant and report any suspicions to APHA. They should also work with importers to make sure effective vaccination needs are complied with and that all animals are sourced responsibly.”
*statement supported by Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, British Veterinary Association, Hybu Cig Cymru, The Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland, Livestock Auctioneers Association, National Farmers Union, National Farmers Union Scotland, National Sheep Association, Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers
Importing livestock from restricted areas - key points:
Farmers are urged to carefully consider whether or not to import animals into the UK from a restricted area, if a farmer does wish to import animals they should:
- Make sure that animals have the correct paperwork confirming they’ve been vaccinated against the right strains of bluetongue - this will depend on which country they’re importing from
- Consider what additional guarantees the seller can provide - such as a pre-export test to prove immunity to BTV
- Consider pre-vaccinating their flock or herd against the relevant strains of bluetongue before introducing new animals
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Advice for farmers
Bluetongue does not pose a threat to human health or food safety, but can have a negative impact on farm incomes, for example by causing reduced milk yield in cows and infertility in sheep.
Farmers must be vigilant when importing livestock from high risk or restricted areas, and perhaps even reconsider importing animals from areas where BTV is present. If imports are required farmers must consider pre-export testing consignments of animals imported from BTV affected areas. Farmers are urged to seek advice from their vet about the risks and the health status of animals they'd like to import, prior to importing them. When importing animals, farmers should make sure that the animals have the correct paperwork confirming they've been vaccinated against the right strain/s of bluetongue.
The UK has robust disease surveillance procedures and continue to carefully monitor the situation in France, where Bluetongue disease control measures are in place.
The latest assessment shows the risk of outbreak in the UK is currently low, but the detection of further BTV-4 and BTV-8 in France and BTV-8 in Belgium and Germany is a reminder for farmers to remain vigilant for disease and report any suspicions to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
The impact of bluetongue on a farm business
Hear from Ken Proctor, he had Bluetongue on his dairy farm back in 2008, read about his experience, the short and longer term losses that his herd suffered and why the disease must not be treated with complacency.
An outbreak of bluetongue will affect farm incomes directly and indirectly. In addition to direct costs for treatment, loss of production, the necessary imposition of animal movement restrictions during a bluetongue outbreak might have an even greater negative impact on a farm business.
The current bluetongue disease control strategy imposes a control zone (CZ) of at least 20km around an infected premises (IP). No animal movements are permitted within the control zone.
At the same time, a restriction zone, consisting of a protection zone (PZ) and surveillance zone (SZ) is declared. The minimum size of the PZ is 100km and the SZ 150km from the infected premises.
Animals are free to move into the PZ and SZ from zone free areas, but are not then allowed to move out of the zones unless they have been effectively vaccinated at least 60 days previously, or have developed natural full immunity to the BTV serotype circulating. Any such moves maybe be subject to compliance with Government licensing requirements.
Movement within a zone is allowed, assuming that an animal does not show clinical signs of disease on the day of movement. Movement is allowed from the SZ into the PZ, but not from the PZ into the SZ unless certain criteria are fulfilled. Farmers on the border of these zones may also find their business disrupted
The zones may be expanded beyond their minimum, but this decision will only be taken in light of the specific outbreak situation and will be influenced by the rate of spread, time of year (vector activity) and other veterinary and commercial factors.
It is therefore very important, that any farmers who rely on long distance movements of their stock as part of their business model should consider vaccination as a sensible precaution, since if they find their farm premises located in a zone or part of a zone, there could be implications for their ability to trade.
Vaccination
Vaccination remains a proven technique for the prevention and control of Bluetongue and keepers are advised to speak to their private vet.
Although vaccine is not currently available in the UK, where there is a justifiable need, vaccine may be imported from mainland Europe on a case by case basis through a special import licence. Vets can apply to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for a Special Import Certificate (SIC), therefore, farmers need to talk to their vet about vaccination if this is something they are considering.
The certificate allows keepers to import safe and effective bluetongue vaccine directly from the EU to vaccinate their stock.
If there is wide demand then vaccine manufacturers may again be persuaded to provide vaccine direct to the UK market.
Importing livestock from restricted areas
Farmers are urged to carefully consider whether or not to import animals into the UK from a restricted area, if a farmer does wish to import animals they should:
- Make sure that animals have the correct paperwork confirming they’ve been vaccinated against the right strains of bluetongue - this will depend on which country they’re importing from
- Consider what additional guarantees the seller can provide - such as a pre-export test to prove immunity to BTV
- Consider pre-vaccinating their flock or herd against the relevant strains of bluetongue before introducing new animals
What you can do now
- Monitor stock carefully and report any clinical signs of disease. Your local vet can provide help in the diagnosis.
- Source animals responsibly and check the health status of animals you are looking to buy.
- Maintain good biosecurity such as washing equipment after use.
- Consider vaccination as the only effective means of protecting susceptible animals from BTV. You are advised to contact a vet about the benefits and availability of a vaccine.
What to do if you suspect disease
If you suspect bluetongue you must report it immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
- England: telephone 03000 200 301
- Wales: telephone 0300 303 8268
- Scotland: contact your local APHA Field Services Office
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Signs of bluetongue
In sheep:
- Lethargy, reluctance to move
- Crusty erosions around the nostrils and on the muzzle
- Discharge of mucus and drooling from mouth and nose
- Swelling of the muzzle, face and above the hoof
- Reddening of the skin above the hoof
- Redness of the mouth, eyes, nose
- Breathing problems
- Erosions on the teats
In cattle:
- Lethargy
- Crusty erosions around the nostrils and muzzle
- Redness of the mouth, eyes, nose
- Redding of the skin above the hoof
- Nasal discharge
- Reddening and erosions on the teats
- Elevated temperature
- Milk drop
- Not eating
In calves:
Calves can become infected with bluetongue (BTV-8) before birth, if the mother is infected while pregnant. Signs of infection include:
- Calves born small, weak, deformed or blind
- Death of calves within a few days of birth
- Abortions
Livestock keepers and vets should consider bluetongue as a possible cause for calves showing these signs.
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Joint campaign Against Bluetongue – JAB
The industry has joined together to ensure that farmers and vets across Great Britain are informed about the risk of Bluetongue, raise awareness about the disease and what to do when they suspect it.
Who is involved…
Useful information
- Download the bluetongue leaflet
- Download the bluetongue leaflet - WELSH
- Download the bluetongue poster
- Latest situation assessment from Defra
- How to spot and report the disease
- Read the full risk assessment from Defra
- Watch the APHA video to find out more about clinical signs
- Log onto the National Sheep Association BTV webpage for the latest from the NSA
- Download the NFU BTV Briefing
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Case Study
East Anglia dairy board chairman and NFU council delegate Ken Proctor discusses his experience of BTV back in 2008 when his 500 milking herd and 800+ followers were badly affected by the disease.
As midges brought in BTV across from the Netherlands, Ken’s herd was in the firing line and one of the earlier cases of bluetongue in the UK.
“It was the old cows that were really affected, they looked like they were walking on glass and because it was too difficult for them to eat, their yield dropped significantly. Ultimately some went down and that was it.
“Whilst the loss of these cows was small in relation to the business, the loss of yield was huge. One of our top show cows was 2000 litres down in the year.
“For those cows that did recover it took three to four months for their yield to come back up, although some didn’t milk again that lactation.”
But it wasn’t just yield that was affected, there were fertility issues and renal problems in the herd, issues which are more difficult to put a price on. Ken was able to vaccinate any unaffected stock but by that point the cost of BTV on his herd was significant.
The trade in the UK during this time was also very different, stock which should have made good money made very little. Many in the area rely on sending surplus heifers west, the restriction zones made this more difficult.
“Herd health is so important, I would recommend all farmers to vaccinate for BTV. This disease mustn’t be treated with complacency, no one wants disease and no one can afford it either.”
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