BTV-3 impacts “extending far beyond animal health”

The impact of the BTV-3 outbreak extends far beyond animal health and has caused significant financial loss in some cases.

This is according to the results of an industry-wide BTV-3 impact survey, carried out by Ruminant Health & Welfare (RH&W) in collaboration with Flock Health Limited, AHDB, and the University of Nottingham. 

Farmers within the restriction zone reported difficulties in selling livestock, with one commenting: 

“I have store cattle that should have been sold by now, but with no market access, I’m struggling with forage and feed for winter.” 

Another farmer comment echoed by many others was: “We have experienced considerable financial loss.”

A farmer who experienced mortality on-farm as a result of BTV-3 said the experience was: “Horrible; physically, financially, mentally and emotionally.”

Substantial number plan to vaccinate

Over half of the early respondents remain undecided about vaccination, but a substantial number have plans to do so before the next summer season. 

Sheep farmers, in particular, are so far showing higher intent to vaccinate compared with cattle farmers, possibly reflecting the more severe impact on unvaccinated sheep flocks seen in Europe. 

Survey responses from farms that had clinical signs also suggest sheep were more severely affected than cattle in terms of mortality and morbidity. 

Farmers have questions about efficacy, when to vaccinate, duration of immunity, risks, impact on trade, availability, and price, RH&W said. 

Fiona Lovatt of Flock Health Limited said: “Whereas actual infection with BTV-3 definitely has detrimental effects on fertility, there is no data or reports yet to suggest that well-timed vaccination has any negative impact on either sheep or cattle fertility.”

READ MORE: BTV-3 vaccine licence now available across England 

Looking at the experiences farmers overseas have had with the vaccine, she added:

“We know that in Germany, the research shows a marked difference in outcomes between vaccinated and unvaccinated herds and flocks. 

“Findings indicate that unvaccinated sheep flocks have experienced mortality rates as high as 30%, whereas vaccinated flocks show significantly lower mortality, with some reporting only 1-2% losses. 

“We want to learn from this data and build a UK base of evidence that we can trust going forwards.”

Concerns about next year

Farmers are also concerned about what next year will bring, after the cases experienced in the UK this year, the survey found.

The short and mid-term outlook for the disease uncertain, and depends on factors such as weather conditions, midge activity and how the disease will over-winter. 

APHA research, led by Dr Vanessa Swinson, has documented clinical signs amongst confirmed infected animals on UK farms (between August and early October), that include lameness, swollen faces, drooling, nose and mouth ulcers, nasal discharge breathing difficulties and mortality. 

The research reinforces the importance of early detection and treatment, and of understanding the long-term impact of this disease in a herd or flock. 

Further BTV-3 cases are expected in 2025, and vaccination is expected to play a key role in reducing the impact of the disease. 

Farmers are encouraged to confidentially share their experiences through the survey, which remains open and is crucial for informing industry-wide responses.

Bluetongue, including BTV-3, is a notifiable disease in the UK. Suspected cases must be reported to APHA on 03000 200 301. 

Further information is also available on the RH&W bluetongue hub, or you can call AHDB’s hotline: 024 7771 0386. 

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