Bluetongue is a disease of animals affecting all ruminants, including sheep, cattle, deer, goats and camelids (camels, llamas, alpacas, guanaco and vicuna). It does not affect horses. Bluetongue does not affect humans. Although sheep are most severely affected, cattle are the main carriers of the virus. Bluetongue is characterized 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 was first described in South Africa but has since been recognized 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. It appears that the virus has spread from both Turkey and North Africa. Up until September Bluetongue had never previously been recorded in Great Britain.

New outbreaks of bluetongue have now been confirmed in Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg in 2007. All cases are within the existing restriction zones of the affected countries. These outbreaks indicate that the bluetongue virus has survived the winter successfully.

Animal keepers should remain vigilant for the clinical signs of the disease in sheep and cattle, and as ever practice good bio-security. If you suspect a case of Bluetongue on your farm you must report it to your local veterinary department.

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. Peak populations of these midges occur in the late summer and autumn and therefore this is the time when Bluetongue is most commonly seen.

Under internationally agreed guidelines (OIE) Bluetongue is unusual in that the disease is only confirmed when there is evidence that the virus is circulating between animals and vectors in an area.

All imports of susceptible animals from restricted areas in EU Member States affected by Bluetongue are currently banned.
All susceptible animals from continental BTV free EU Member States or zones (not including Ireland). are post-import tested for Bluetongue (imports back to May 2006 were tested, and have all tested negative).

Daily meteorological surveillance is undertaken to assess the risk of wind borne spread of vectors from BTV8 affected countries to the UK.

In partnership with the farming industry we are encouraging vigilance and early reporting of disease amongst farmers and veterinary practitioners (Bluetongue is a notifiable disease and suspicion of disease must be reported).

Defra is raising awareness of the disease through dissemination of information leaflets to farmers and vets, through adverts in appropriate publications, and publicity campaigns at livestock markets etc.

From initial studies it can be roughly estimated that a midge can travel up to 1.5-2 km a day in a local area. However, if caught in suitable meteorological conditions midges can be carried much farther distances, especially over water masses i.e. more than 200 km. All of these details are an approximation and vary according to local environmental, topographical and meteorological conditions.

The size of the Bluetongue Temporary Control Area in England is based on EU legislation for control of the disease and veterinary risk assessment.

Meteorological conditions play an important part in the geographical spread of Bluetongue disease. Although 75% of Ireland&@39;s winds are favorable in our defense of the disease, 25% are not. Vigilance on the part of the livestock owner is essential and suspected cases must be reported.

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