12/10/2024
🦠BLUETONGUE VIRUS 🦠
🔍 What is Bluetongue?
Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a disease affecting ruminants like sheep, cattle, goats, and camelids. While it doesn’t affect humans, Bluetongue can cause serious health problems in animals, including swelling, lameness, and production losses.
Bluetongue is spread by infected biting midges, specifically certain species of the genus Culicoides. The virus is transmitted when an infected midge bites an uninfected animal. Midges become lifelong carriers once infected. They are most active from April to November, and weather conditions significantly affect how far and fast they can spread the disease.
🚫 Prevention & Control:
• Vigilance: Regularly monitor your animals for any signs of illness.
• Biosecurity: Limit the movement of livestock from areas with Bluetongue outbreaks.
• Vaccination: Bluetongue vaccines are available in the UK under a special license. Though unlicensed, they’ve been approved by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) as safe and effective in reducing the severity of clinical signs and mortality, though they won’t prevent infection entirely. Our surgery can provide these vaccines.
📍 Current Situation:
In areas where Bluetongue cases have been detected, authorities have imposed Restriction Zones (RZ) to control the spread. Animals can be moved within the RZ under a general license, including to abattoirs or other premises in the zone. However, animals leaving a market within the zone cannot be moved outside of it. Currently, moving animals to markets outside the zones is not permitted.
Make sure to check if your farm falls within a Bluetongue Restriction Zone (RZ). Stay informed and protect your livestock! 🐑🐄
