Frequently asked questions: Bluetongue

 

Question – What is bluetongue?

Answer

It’s a virus which affects sheep, cattle and goats

Question – What are some of the signs?

Answer

Signs are a fever, tiredness, lameness and swelling of the mouth, head and neck. Animals may die or take a long time to recover. They lose weight, milk yields drops and may never fully recover.

Question – How is it spread?

Answer

By midges of the culicoides species that bite the animal. It is passed from animal to midge, and midge to animal, but not animal to animal.

Question – How did it get here?

Answer

In the autumn of 2006, bluetongue was found in the Northern European countries of Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, and Western Germany and in parts of Northern France.

The virus was identified as a new serotype (BTV-8) in the EU. It is a strain of BTV-8 that was last found in sub-Saharan Africa and is distinct from American, Asian or vaccine strains of BTV-8. It is a different serotype to those causing bluetongue infections in the Southern European countries of Italy, Spain and Portugal.

The disease is spreading and has now been found in Suffolk. This is the first case  found in Great Britain. Since 22 September, Laboratory tests have detected the presence of Bluetongue in two cattle on a premises near Ipswich, Suffolk, in a third animal at a premises near Lowestoft and in a fourth animal at a third premises near Ipswich, Suffolk.

Question – How quickly can it spread?

Answer

The disease may spread over a large area as midges fly or are blown in the winds. Conditions for midges to be blown are dependent on temperature, wind strength, topography and other factors.

There is little which can be done to stop midges breeding but keeping cattle and sheep away from breeding sites e.g. poorly drained areas and dung heaps, may have a small effect decreasing exposure to the insects.

Question – Has there been any warnings?

Answer

Government vets have long said that it has been only a question of time and weather before it reached Britain. In Jersey the “Disease of Animals (Bluetongue) (Jersey) Order 2006 came into force on the 7 September 2006. The States veterinary officer wrote to livestock keepers and Veterinary Surgeons and information was placed on the States of Jersey website at that time. Keepers have received a leaflet on bluetongue “How to spot the disease” when the disease was found in England. If they suspect disease then they must contact the States Veterinary Officer

Question – Is it here to stay?

Answer

Possibly. Cold weather and hard frosts are likely to see it off temporarily. It occurs mostly during periods of high temperature and rainfall.

Question – Can we vaccinate?

Answer

YES. Keepers of cattle, sheep and goats who have registered with the department have been sent advice and asked to contact their private veterinary practice to order the vaccine. All keepers have been advised to vaccinate livestock, animals will be protected three weeks after the vaccination course has been completed, cattle will require two treatments three weeks apart, sheep and goats will require one treatment. Keepers are urged to not delay vaccination, local vets now have the vaccine.

Question – Will animals need to be culled?

Answer

Some will not recover fully, and could be put down for welfare or economic reasons. But normally, culling is not necessary. Those animals testing positive in England have been culled.

Question - Is there any risk to humans?

Answer

No

Page Last Updated: 29/05/2008