Bluetongue in Europe

BLUETONGUE IN EUROPE

Purpose

1. To advise stakeholders of the current situation in respect of movement of animals from Europe in respect of bluetongue.

Background

2. Bluetongue disease is circulating again in mainland Europe. Over 8,000 cases have been found in France, and over 500 in Germany in the last month alone. Outbreaks have been reported in The Netherlands and Belgium. Sweden has recorded its first outbreak of bluetongue. No circulating Bluetongue disease has yet been found in the UK in 2008. This is because of the relatively low level of infection in 2007 as compared with Europe, early and high uptake of vaccine in the areas known to have BTV positive cases, the movement restrictions, and the cool wet summer. The risk is not over as we are entering the very high risk period with regard to midge activity and vaccination is still rolling out in new areas in England and Wales.

3. As of 1 September, the whole of England and Wales is now in a Protection Zone. However, it may take up to 6-8 weeks from now for livestock keepers in the North of England and Wales to have had sufficient opportunity to vaccinate their livestock and to gain immunity (at least 3 weeks in sheep, and 6 weeks in cattle).

4. To allow livestock keepers in those areas sufficient opportunity to protect their animals, and while further veterinary investigations are carried out, the bluetongue infected animals that were imported in August and early September will remain under restriction until the end of October. Any further such positive import cases detected in England may also be restricted for a period of time depending on veterinary risk assessment.

5. So far the infected imports to England have not resulted in disease circulating between midge and livestock populations and there are no direct implications for Scotland. However, this will be kept under close review.

6. It is important to re-emphasise that any livestock keeper sourcing animals from within UK or abroad should bear in mind the potential disease risks to their livestock and the livestock of others. This refers not only to BTV8 in the UK and Europe but also to a new serotype in Europe, BTV1 which is present in France, Spain and Portugal.

7. Any BTV 1 positive animal imported into the UK will be slaughtered without compensation.

8. Any BTV 8 postiive animal imported to Scotland will be slaughtered without compensation.

9. Further information on the bluetongue situation including copies of Movement Licences, maps, general information is available on the websites:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/bluetongue

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/index.htm

10. Any bluetongue susceptible animals that are imported from other Member States must be meet the requirements of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007 on implementing rules for Council Directive 2000/75/EC as regards the control, monitoring, surveillance and restrictions on movements of certain animals of susceptible species in relation to bluetongue as amended.

Further Enquiries

If you have a query concerning exports or this CIN please contact your local Animal Health Division Office:

AHDO: Galashiels – Tel: 01896 758806 or Fax No: 01896 756803
AHDO: Inverness – Tel: 01463 253098 or Fax No: 01463 711495
AHDO: Ayr – Tel: 01292 291350 or Fax No: 01292 291351
AHDO: Inverurie – Tel: 01467 626300 or Fax No: 01467 626321
AHDO: Perth – Tel: 01738 602211 or Fax No: 01738 602240