Deadly bluetongue virus found on Somerset farm

An animal has been put down in Somerset after a case of bluetongue was discovered. It is one of two which have been culled in the South West after cases have been discovered across the country.

The case in Somerset was found in the Bath and North East Somerset area. It is linked to linked to animals known to have moved to the premises from an area where disease is now known to be circulating but before bluetongue restrictions were put in place.

The Government on their website said the premises is under restriction and the infected animals have been culled. Further testing will be undertaken to ensure there has been no local transmission.

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This case, as well as the one in Devon, were announced on the Government website on September 21 2024. Currently, the number of bluetongue cases in the UK stands at 98.

The current restricted zones are as follows: Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Greater London, Surrey, and West Sussex.

While bluetongue poses no risk to humans or food safety, outbreaks can lead to prolonged restrictions on animal movements and trade.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease caused by infection with bluetongue virus. Bluetongue virus is mainly spread by biting midges.

Bluetongue virus affects:

· sheep

· cattle

· other ruminants such as deer and goats

· camelids such as llamas and alpacas

Rarely, bluetongue can affect dogs and other carnivores if they eat infected material (such as aborted material and afterbirth).

It does not affect people or food safety, but outbreaks can result in prolonged animal movement and trade restrictions.

Signs of bluetongue

If you keep livestock, you must keep a close watch for and report any suspicion of bluetongue in your animals.

The severity of the infection depends on the type (serotype) of the virus and may also be affected by the strain.

In sheep

Sheep are more likely to show obvious clinical signs of bluetongue than cattle if they become infected with bluetongue virus. Signs of bluetongue in sheep include:

· 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)

Other clinical signs include:

· red skin as a result of blood collecting beneath the surface

· fever

· lameness

· breathing problems

· abortion, foetal deformities and stillbirths

· death

In lambs

Lambs can become infected with bluetongue virus before birth if the dam is infected while pregnant. Signs of infection include:

· lambs born small, weak, deformed or blind

· death of lambs within a few days of birth

· stillbirths

In cattle

Signs of bluetongue in cattle include:

· 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).

In calves

Calves can become infected with bluetongue virus before birth if the mother is infected while pregnant. Signs of infection include:

· calves born small, weak, deformed or blind

· death of calves within a few days of birth

· stillbirths

Farmers and livestock owners within the restricted zone must adhere to movement restrictions for animals and germinal products. Movement of susceptible animals out of the zone is prohibited without a specific licence, though a general licence is available for transporting animals to designated abattoirs. Movements within the restricted zone are still allowed.

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."