Bluetongue updates: Large parts of eastern England now under a restricted zone

Large parts of eastern England have now been placed in a bluetongue restricted zones following a rise in cases.

Defra confirmed a new restricted zone now covers all of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, all Greater London, Surrey and West Sussex on Saturday (September 21).

Cases of the virus have also been identified in areas not currently in a restriction zone including Devon and North East Somerset.

As of September 22, there have been more than 97 cases of bluetongue serotype-3 on farms since August 26. 

Since May, there have been more than 4,000 cases of bluetongue in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. 

Between November 2023 and March 2024, there were 126 cases of bluetongue in England.

What is bluetongue?

Defra said bluetongue is a notifiable disease caused by infection which can affect ruminants, such as sheep, cattle, goats, deer, and camelids.

Bluetongue can be spread by certain species of biting midges, through the movement of infected animals and animal products (such as blood and germinal products including semen, eggs, ova and embryos) within the UK and through imports, and infected pregnant animals transmitting the virus to their young.

Signs of bluetongue

The Government has provided the following information on the signs of bluetongue.

Sheep

• Ulcers or sores in the mouth and nose
• Discharge from the eyes or nose and drooling from mouth
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, head and neck and the coronary band (where the skin of the leg meets the horn of the foot)
• Red skin as a result of blood collecting beneath the surface
• Fever
• Lameness
• Breathing problems
• Abortion, foetal deformities and stillbirths
• Death

Lambs

• Lambs born small, weak, deformed or blind 
• Death of lambs within a few days of birth 
• Stillbirths 

Cattle

• Lethargy

• Crusty erosions around the nostrils and muzzle

• Redness of the mouth, eyes, nose

• Reddening of the skin above the hoof

• Nasal discharge

• Reddening and erosions on the teats

• Fever

• Milk drop

• Not eating

• Abortion, foetal deformities and stillbirths

• Adult cattle may be infectious for several weeks while showing little or no sign of disease. They are often the preferred host for biting midges (the vector of bluetongue virus).

Calves

• Calves born small, weak, deformed or blind

• Death of calves within a few days of birth

• Stillbirths

What does bluetongue look like?

Preventing bluetongue

• Responsibly sourcing livestock
• Remaining vigilant to signs of disease
• Housing animals in buildings that keep out biting midges – this is especially important at dawn and dusk
• Maintaining good hygiene and biosecurity on your premises
• Not allowing farm dogs, cats or pets to eat, chew on or play with potentially infected materials (such as aborted material and afterbirth)
• Vaccinating your animals with a suitable authorised vaccine

Podcast

Earlier this year, Dairy Farmer editor Katie Jones spoke with Mel McPherson, of Avon Farm Vets in Wiltshire, about a potential rise in cases of Schmallenberg.

And similarly with bluetongue, there could potentially be a spike in cases if biting midge activity increases due to warmer weather.

Areas currently affected by bluetongue

Suffolk, Kent, Norfolk, Surrey, Lincolnshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, Somerset, Devon, Hertfordshire, Greater London East, West Sussex (as of September 23).

Government advice

The UK's Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss has stressed the current restriction zones put in place in England were helping to tackle the disease at this current time.

She said: "I know it makes life difficult for people in the restriction zone, but it really does stop the progression of the disease."

Deputy UK Chief Veterinary Officer Ele Brown said: "As the number of bluetongue cases continues to rise in England and northern Europe, we are taking further action to extend the restriction zone to mitigate the spread of the disease.

"Whilst we appreciate restrictions have an impact, it's vital all farmers and keepers within bluetongue control zones adhere to the restrictions and only move animals when it's absolutely essential to prevent the disease spreading to their herds.

"We are committed to working with everyone affected and urge people to report livestock they suspect have the disease.

"We will continue to keep control zones under review."

Animal and Plant Health Agency's chief executive Jenny Stewart said: "Since the first BTV-3 case for this season was detected last month, case numbers have continued to rise, and I want to remind keepers of the importance of monitoring their livestock and taking up free testing where necessary.

"Scientists, vets and field teams from the Animal and Plant Health Agency are working hard to help tackle bluetongue virus and ensure farmers are kept up to date and supported."

Vaccines

Defra has granted permission for three unauthorised bluetongue vaccines to be used in England. 

But farmers could have to wait another month until a bluetongue vaccine could be available for use on farm.

Ceva has announced its bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccine, BLUEVAC-3, could be available to help farmers dealing with 'severe economic losses' from Government restrictions by mid-October at the earliest.

How can you report bluetongue?

Farmers should remain vigilant and, as a legal requirement, report any suspicious signs of the disease in their livestock to Defra.

This can be done by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.

In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Service Office.

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire farms now in bluetongue restricted zone

Parts of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire have now been placed under a restricted bluetongue zones following an increase in cases.

The Government said it had revoked 20km Temporary Control Zones (TCZs) around affected premises in both counties on Tuesday (September 17) after it found evidence the virus was transmitting locally. 

APHA said the TCZs will be replaced by a larger restricted zone area covering East Riding of Yorkshire and part of Lincolnshire which now restricts the movement of livestock without an authorised licence.

Read more of the story here

Financial consequences of bluetongue restrictions could see Suffolk farmer £50,000 out of pocket

A farmer in Suffolk has called on the Government to support food producers who are on the 'front lines' of bluetongue after claiming current restrictions have placed a 'huge toll' on farmers' businesses and well-being.

Sudbury farmer Stephen Cobbald has claimed he could lose upwards of £50,000 this year due to operating a business in a bluetongue restriction zone.

Despite having zero confirmed cases on farm, Mr Cobbald said it has been 'impossible' to sell his 250 pedigree Suffolk herd due to APHA's current restrictions on sheep movements. 

Read more of the story here

Bluetongue concerns placing a 'heavy burden' on farmers' mental health

Bluetongue restrictions have placed a toll on the mental health and well-being of farmers, according to those working in areas impacted by the disease.

Graham Miles, an agricultural chaplain for Suffolk, said the rising cases of the airborne virus in England has placed a heavy burden on farm businesses, with some farmers claiming they have lost 'thousands of pounds' due to not being able to take their livestock to market.

"This awful disease is causing farmers nothing but stress and anxiety," he added.

"Farmers who speak to me say they are struggling to carry on.

"It moves me to tears hearing how challenging it is for our farmers at the minute."

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First bluetongue case reported in Essex and Kent

The first reported case of bluetongue has been found on farms in Essex and Kent for the 2024/25 vector season.

On August 30, the UK's Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss replaced 20km Temporary Control Zones in Norfolk and Suffolk with restriction zones, which was extended into Essex without a case being detected.

Defra said farmers could be breaking the law if they do not report bluetongue.

Read more of the story here

Bluetongue cases continue to increase

Bluetongue cases have once again risen across the UK this week with the East of England continuing to be the focus of the outbreak.

In a bid to stem the spread, the Secretary of State for Defra has authorised the use of three bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines.

The move was welcomed by the National Sheep Association with chief executive Phil Stocker saying it was a ‘necessary step' to help control the disease.

He said: "Although the vaccines are suppressive in nature rather than preventative, they are expected to dampen symptoms, reduce suffering and mortality, and hopefully reduce the risk of further transmission."

Read more of the story here