UK Farmers Urged to Follow Legislation as New Strain of Bluetongue Virus Confirmed

United Kingdom (UK) 14.11.2023

Source: The DairyNews

Farmers in the UK have been advised to closely adhere to legislation on animal movement restrictions following the confirmation of a new emerging strain of bluetongue virus (BTV-3). The case was identified in a single cow on a farm near Canterbury, Kent, during routine surveillance by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra). The last outbreak of bluetongue in the UK occurred in 2007, and the country had been officially free of the virus since 2011.

UK Farmers Urged to Follow Legislation as New Strain of Bluetongue Virus Confirmed

The infected animal has been culled to minimize the risk of disease transmission, and a 10km temporary control zone has been established around the farm to contain the spread of the disease. BTV-3 is transmitted by biting midges and affects various ruminant animals. This new strain has been spreading rapidly in Europe in recent months, and there is currently no vaccine for BTV-3.

Ruminant Health & Welfare (RH&W), a livestock industry group, has urged farmers to remain extremely vigilant and emphasized the importance of following legislation on animal movement restrictions. RH&W has provided advice to farmers and their veterinarians, stressing the need for caution when buying animals, reporting any signs of the disease, and discussing the risks of importing stock from BTV-affected countries.

The emergence of this new strain poses challenges, as there is no current vaccine available. Farmers are encouraged to work closely with their veterinarians to mitigate risks and prevent the spread of this vector-borne disease.