Mary Wilson
Well-known member
Published 11 November 2023
Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer has urged farmers to remain vigilant for bluetongue virus after the disease was found in a single cow in Kent.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Pirbright Institute identified the disease in the cow through Great Britain’s annual bluetongue surveillance programme.
Bluetongue does not affect people or food safety. The virus is transmitted by midge bites and affects cows, goats, sheep and other camelids such as llamas. The midges are most active between April and November and not all susceptible animals show immediate, or any, signs of contracting the virus. The impacts on susceptible animals can vary greatly – some show no symptoms or effects at all while for others it can cause productivity issues such as reduced milk yield, while in the most severe cases can be fatal for infected animals.
Action is being taken to ensure the risk of spread of the disease is reduced, with movement restrictions at the affected premises. The cow was culled to reduce the risk of onward disease transmission.
A 10km temporary control zone around the affected farm has been put in place, which will restrict movements of susceptible animals except under license, and additional surveillance will be undertaken . ...
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bluetongue-virus-detected-in-a-single-cow-in-kent
Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer has urged farmers to remain vigilant for bluetongue virus after the disease was found in a single cow in Kent.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Pirbright Institute identified the disease in the cow through Great Britain’s annual bluetongue surveillance programme.
Bluetongue does not affect people or food safety. The virus is transmitted by midge bites and affects cows, goats, sheep and other camelids such as llamas. The midges are most active between April and November and not all susceptible animals show immediate, or any, signs of contracting the virus. The impacts on susceptible animals can vary greatly – some show no symptoms or effects at all while for others it can cause productivity issues such as reduced milk yield, while in the most severe cases can be fatal for infected animals.
Action is being taken to ensure the risk of spread of the disease is reduced, with movement restrictions at the affected premises. The cow was culled to reduce the risk of onward disease transmission.
A 10km temporary control zone around the affected farm has been put in place, which will restrict movements of susceptible animals except under license, and additional surveillance will be undertaken . ...
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bluetongue-virus-detected-in-a-single-cow-in-kent
