Bluetongue Disease of Ruminants confirmed in the UK

greysides

The first #bluetongue BTV3 case in 24/25 has been confirmed at a premises near Haddiscoe, South Norfolk.

A 20km Temporary Control Zone has been put in place. Keepers of cattle, sheep, camelids and other ruminants must remain vigilant and follow the restrictions on animal and germinal product movements that now apply in the zone.

Please check the Bluetongue interactive map: https://defra.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=514ec88edec74575958d860f0196d2ea and the latest guidance on GOV.UK to see what steps you can take to prevent and control the disease: https://www.gov.uk/bluetongue.

greysides

The likely source of the outbreak would be a swarm of airborne midges from the nearby continent. Our greater distance makes this much less likely, so other than making yourself aware of what to look out for, there's no need for concern. Other diseases show some of the same signs too so local vet would be your first point of contact.

The blue tongue of the name, while dramatic, is rare.

greysides

The DAFM information is available here :

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/cd6c0-bluetongue-virus/

greysides

For the UK:

2023/2024 vector season
Between November 2023 and March 2024 there were 126 bluetongue cases in England on 73 premises in 4 counties. There were 119 cases in cattle and 7 cases in sheep. During this period bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) was found in Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk.

So not too unusual over there.

whelan2

Young lad was in Scotland last week on a farm were he had imported angus from last year. A few lads got caught with stock they had bought last year and the blue tongue restrictions came in before they'd got them home. Money paid and all. It's a killer for these herds when they were banking on export sales

Base price

Thankfully the wind is blowing from from the West and South West although bringing lots of rain and showers. It will keep the flies East of us for the moment.

Hard Knocks

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122551282#Comment_122551282

would we want to be careful of imported hay & straw

Base price

True and it's something I never thought about - I'm thinking of Dutch Elm disease, Ash dieback, Hawthorn fireblight.

greysides

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122555806#Comment_122555806

I doubt it. Animal imports are the concern.

148multi

Germinal products movements that now apply. Can you explain this, is it products that the mige germinate from.

greysides

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122559023#Comment_122559023

I think that's semen and ova, in case the donors were viraemic.

greysides

Further cases of #bluetongue BTV3 has been confirmed in Norfolk and Suffolk in both cattle and sheep. Due to evidence of local transmission, the existing TCZ has been revoked and a Restricted Zone has been put in place around the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. Keepers of cattle, sheep, camelids and other ruminants must remain vigilant and follow the restrictions on animal and germinal product movements that apply.

whelan2

Spread over 9 farms now

jambon0104

Anyone any ideas of if any plans are in place if it does reach ireland

greysides

There will have contingency planning. The Dept are well aware of the risk and are monitoring the situation. (That sounds a bit like a Dept press release, but I couldn't really word it differently. 😂)

greysides

Update from DAFM:

https://www.animalhealthsurveillance.agriculture.gov.ie/media/animalhealthsurveillance/Bluetongue%20Virus%20Update%20No.%207%20of%202024.pdf%20of%202024.pdf