Farmers relieved as bluetongue spread now “highly unlikely”
6th February 2024
Defra has announced the loosening of bluetongue virus measures due to the drop of midge activity during colder months.
BTV-3, a new strain of bluetongue found in northern Europe and the UK, is mainly transmitted via biting midge, affecting cattle, goats, sheep and camelids such as llamas. Dr Marion England, an institute fellow in vector ecology at the Pirbright Institute, explains that midges previously infected with BTV-3 are highly unlikely to transmit the virus during the winter months.
He added: “The current weather conditions and time of year mean that Culicoides – the type of midge able to spread viruses, such as BTV-3, are highly unlikely to transmit the virus to livestock. The most active period for midges is during the warmer months in spring, summer and autumn, and midges can become newly infected with bluetongue virus and spread disease when the weather is above 12°C for a sustained period.
“Midges infected in late autumn 2023 are now not likely to be a risk for spreading disease because they usually die off during winter, and are not actively biting when temperatures are below 4°C.”
Restrictions eased
Because of the reduced risk of transmission between midges and animals, Defra has taken the decision not to cull infected animals where test results indicate older infection and the presence of BTV-3 antibodies. Infected animals may still be restricted at their current locations, and other disease mitigation measures may be taken as appropriate.
The reduced risk from midges means that some restrictions on movements of live animals from the Temporary Control Zones (TCZ) can now be eased if they meet certain conditions, including testing negative in a pre-movement test. A licence is required. Some restrictions on the movements of animals into and within the TCZ have also been eased.
At the beginning of February 2024, the government confirmed over 80 cases of bluetongue across Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk since the initial outbreak of the virus in November. It is believed the virus was carried to England by infected midges blown across the Channel from Europe during September or October.
Help available
Surveillance of susceptible animals and epidemiological assessments within the TCZ will continue. Defra committed to keeping the situation under review. In the UK, bluetongue, including BTV-3, is a notifiable disease, so anyone suspecting the disease must take action and report it to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
The advice from Ruminant Health & Welfare remains three-fold, farmers need to beware, take action to report any signs, and always, remain vigilant. For the latest update on BTV-3 and restrictions visit the Ruminant Health & Welfare bluetongue hub available here.
Farmers can call the dedicated bluetongue hotline to get advice or ask questions linked to the current situation on 024 7771 0386.
Read more about bluetongue hotline here.
Read more livestock news here.
