Culicoides midge
Carrier of Bluetongue

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Bluetongue Disease

This page will be updated regularly with up to date information on the following:-

• About the disease
• Licensing of livestock movements
• Defra's Control Strategy
• Other related information.
• Contact Details

Latest situation

On 1 September 2008 the Bluetongue Zones was changed once again. This change now makes the whole of England and Wales a Bluetongue Protection Zone.

There are implications for North Somerset Farmers in relation to movements of cattle and sheep as well as the vaccination of livestock.

• A map of the situation as of 1 September 2008, showing the Surveillance and Protection Zones can be downloaded here.

• The full Declaratory Order, issued by Defra, can be viewed here. (pdf file)

• For full and detailed guidance on the restrictions that are in place and all other aspects of the Bluetongue Disease situation please go to the Defra Website or telephone their helpline on 08459 33 55 77.

• Operational guidance on Defra's vaccination programme can be accessed here.

• Advice and guidance aimed specifically at farmers can be found on Defra's Bluetongue web page.

About the disease

Bluetongue is a disease that affects ruminating animals, including cattle, deer, goats and camelids (camels, llamas, alpacas, guanaco and vicuña) and particularly sheep. It does not affect pigs or horses.

Although sheep are most severely affected, cattle are the main mammalian reservoir of the virus and are very important in the epidemiology of the disease. It is characterised by changes to the mucous linings of the mouth and nose and the coronary band of the foot.

The disease is caused by a virus spread by certain types of biting midges. Bluetongue is present when it is confirmed by laboratory tests that the Bluetongue virus (BTV) is circulating in an area. Bluetongue does not affect humans.

History of bluetongue

Bluetongue was first described in South Africa but has since been recognised in most countries in the tropics and sub-tropics. Since 1999 there have been widespread outbreaks of Bluetongue in Greece, Italy, Corsica (France) and the Balearic Islands (Spain). Cases also occurred in Europe in Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Kosovo and Yugoslavia. Serotypes 2, 4, 9 and 16 have been involved. These cases have been well north and west of its normal distribution. It appears that the virus has spread from both Turkey and North Africa.

Cause

Bluetongue is caused by a virus within the Orbivirus genus of the family Reorvirades. At present 24 distinct serotypes have been identified as a result of serum neutralisation tests.

The virus is transmitted by a small number of species of biting midges of the genus Culicoides. Bluetongue virus cannot naturally be transmitted directly between animals. Virus transmission between animals occurs via these midges. However, the likelihood of mechanical transmission of the virus between herds/flocks and within a herd/flock by unhygienic practices (e.g. use of contaminated surgical equipment or hypodermic needles) cannot be excluded.

When a midge bites an infected animal, the virus passes to the midge in the blood meal and the virus multiples in the midge. The cycle of replication of the virus in the insect vector and in the ruminant host, results in amplification of the amount of BTV available to uninfected naive hosts and vectors.

Peak populations of vector Culicoides (midge) occur in the late summer and autumn and therefore this is the time when Bluetongue is most commonly seen.

Information courtesy of Defra

Licensing of livestock movements

Restrictions apply to the movement of all ruminating animals within, into and out of the Bluetongue Control and Protection Zones.

For full details of the available licences and conditions that must be complied with go to the Defra licensing page.

Defra's Control Strategy

Defra has published its' Control Strategy for Bluetongue Disease. A Copy can be viewed or downloaded here.

Other information

Contact Details.

See the Defra website for the latest information which is, predictably, changing frequently as the situation develops.

Any other information that is available will be posted here as soon as possible.

If you have any questions regarding the above or any other aspect of the disease outbreak and would like to speak to a North Somerset Animal Health Officer, please contact us.

If you have an urgent veterinary question, relating to Bluetongue Disease and you need to speak to a Veterinary Inspector please contact the 'Animal Health' Divisional Office (Formerly State Veterinary Service).

Organisation	Contact details
Defra	Tel: 08459 33 55 77 Fax: 020 7238 2188 Email: Defra Helpline Web: Defra website Customer Contact Unit Eastbury House 30 - 34 Albert Embankment London SE1 7TL
Animal Health (Formerly the State Veterinary Service)	Tel: 01452 627400 Fax: 01452 627483 E Mail: Animal Health Web: Animal Health Website Animal Health Divisional Office Saw Mills End Corinium Avenue Gloucester GL4 3DE
North Somerset Trading Standards	Tel: 01275 888634 Fax: 01275 888675 Email: trading.standards@n-somerset.gov.uk Somerset House Oxford Street Weston super Mare BS23 1TG

nb Pigs and horses are NOT affected by Bluetongue disease

North Somerset Council, Trading Standards Service, Somerset House, Oxford Street, Weston super Mare, Somerset, BS23 1TG
Telephone: 01275 884118    Fax: 01275 888683
Electronic Mail: trading.standards@n-somerset.gov.uk