Bluetongue Questions and Answers
Bluetongue Questions & Answers
What is Bluetongue?
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. It is a disease of animals, not humans, so there are no human or public health issues. Bluetongue is an insect-borne viral disease to which all species of ruminants are susceptible, although sheep are most severely affected. Cattle and goats which appear healthy can carry high levels of the virus and provide a source of further infection; however, during the outbreak in Northern Europe, cattle have shown clinical signs of the disease (see below for details).
The disease is caused by a virus which is transmitted by certain species of biting midges. The Culicoides species of midge which carries the infection is found in Northern Ireland.
Why is it important?
Bluetongue can cause severe losses in sheep with a significant impact on livestock keepers and livestock trade.
If Bluetongue is confirmed to be circulating in NI it would have major economic significance, as large restriction zones would be declared and exports of susceptible animals from these areas would only be allowed in certain conditions. It may also affect the movement of animals within NI.
How is Bluetongue confirmed?
Bluetongue is confirmed on the basis of laboratory results and epidemiological evidence. Unlike other diseases, bluetongue is not confirmed by the presence of the virus in an individual animal - EU law requires that to confirm an outbreak of Bluetongue, there must be evidence of circulation of the active virus between susceptible animals and the midge vector population.
What controls have DARD in place?
On 05.05.08 DARD announced the lifting of the suspension following the publication of the amendments to the European Bluetongue Regulation (1266/2007).
On 08.05.08 DARD announced new import control measures following the successful application to Brussels to apply a derogation from the general rules of the European Bluetongue Regulation (1266/2007) for the movement of susceptible animals from restricted zones.
A new declaration which stipulates that all imported susceptible animals must move under the conditions stipulated in the Bluetongue Regulation 1266/2007 (as amended) is in force with effect from 00.01 hours on 8 May 2008.
Only susceptible animals less than 90 days or that have proven natural or vaccinated immunity to Bluetongue, if they meet certain conditions, can be imported from Bluetongue restricted areas.
This means that only cattle, sheep and goats that are:-
- Under 90 days old; or
- Naturally immune (test positive to Elisa test); or
- Vaccinated and test positive to Elisa test
can be imported from Bluetongue zones. In addition, these animals must meet stringent pre movement controls.
As an additional precautionary measure, all other animals imported from Europe (except ROI) and GB for breeding and production are being blood tested for Bluetongue and are restricted on their holding until a negative test result is received *
Additional import conditions are being applied to those breeding and production animals which can still be imported.
- The animals must be held in isolation after importation until post-import testing is completed and restrictions are lifted. Animals must be kept in housing that has a separate air space and that is not shared with any other susceptible livestock; and
- The isolation facility must be cleansed and disinfected prior to the arrival of the imported animals, and must also be pre-sprayed with a recommended insecticide.
Farmers importing animals are advised to reduce the risk to their own livestock by taking the following actions:-
- Treat imported animals with an approved insecticide when they arrive. This treatment should be repeated as required by the manufacturer’s recommendations, until restrictions are lifted.
- Consider getting isolation facility checked by a veterinarian prior to importing animals to ensure it can meet the conditions.
- Treat the inside of livestock vehicles that have transported the imported animals with insecticide.
- It is also advised that vehicles transporting horses should be treated with insecticide to reduce the risk of importing midges.
For more information on the conditions, please click on the below links.
* In addition, and in line with EU Bluetongue legislation, the Department is carrying out a survey of herds in NI to confirm the disease free status.
What steps are being taken to check for Bluetongue midges?
The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) are carrying out some surveillance to better understand the ecology and what species of midge we have in Northern Ireland.
What to do if you are considering importing stock?
In order to help protect the industry in Northern Ireland from this disease, anyone considering sourcing stock (ruminants) from mainland Europe or GB, is advised to:
- Think very carefully before importing i.e. do you really need to import?
- Request a pre-import test as a further precaution. For further information, check the links below:
- Animals imported from mainland Europe and GB will be restricted and isolated on their first holding of destination until the post-import tests have been completed and negative test results have been confirmed.
- Ideally, all imported animals should be held in isolation and observed for at least 30 days before they join the main herd. Introduce the animals gradually to the rest of the herd/flock when you are satisfied they are healthy.
What measures have been applied in Northern Europe and GB?
The affected countries have applied control measures as required under the EU Directive. Some movements are allowed if conditions are met. These conditions are set out in Annex 3 of the Bluetongue Regulation 1266/2007.
What is Bluetongue Serotype 8 (BTV8)?
There are at least 24 different varieties (serotypes) of the bluetongue virus (BTV). The serotype involved in the current outbreak of bluetongue in Northern Europe has been identified as serotype 8.
How is the Bluetongue virus transmitted?
Virus transmission between animals occurs via an insect vector (midges of Culicoides species), when a midge bites an infected animal and passes the infection to an uninfected naive animal. Transmission of the virus during an outbreak therefore depends on continuing cycles of infection between infected animals and vector insects. Bluetongue cannot be naturally transmitted directly between animals. As the virus is found in the blood, there is the potential for spread by hypodermic needle or the equipment which is in contact with bodily secretions. Sterile needles should be used for each animal.
Are any other animals affected?
Bluetongue is an insect-borne viral disease that affects all ruminants (such as sheep, cattle, goat, deer, camels, llamas, giraffes, bison, buffalo, wildebeest and antelope). There is no evidence of Bluetongue infecting any other species.
Does Bluetongue affect humans?
Bluetongue does not affect humans so there are no human or public health implications. There is no risk of the disease being contracted or spread through meat or milk.
What are the clinical signs in animals?
In sheep the clinical signs include:
- Fever
- Swelling of the head and neck
- Lameness
- Inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membrane of the mouth, nose and eyes
- Drooling
- Haemorrhages in the skin and other tissues
- Respiratory problems, such as froth in the lungs and an inability to swallow
- High mortality rate
- Discoloration and swelling of the tongue (rare)
- In cattle:
Although Bluetongue usually causes no apparent illness in cattle or goats, cattle are displaying clinical signs in the Northern European outbreak. These include:
- Nasal discharge
- Swelling and ulceration of the mouth
- Swollen teats
What legislation currently exists?
The Bluetongue Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 implements Council Directive 2000/75/EEC concerning the control and eradication of Bluetongue. It also partially implements the requirements of Commission Regulation 1266/2007 as regards the monitoring, surveillance and movement restrictions of certain animals of susceptible species in relation to Bluetongue
What disease control measures would be put in place if the Bluetongue virus was confirmed to be circulating in Northern Ireland?
Under current legislation, the measures would include:
- Veterinary investigation on suspect premises, and restrictions (including a ban on movement of susceptible animals on and off the premises).
- On confirmation, restrictions would remain in place and be extended to a zone of 20km radius around the infected premises (IP).
- Two wider zones would also be declared: The Protection Zone (PZ) (at least 100km radius around an IP) and The Surveillance Zone (SZ) (at least 50km in radius beyond the PZ).
- Restrictions on movement of susceptible animals out of these zones would be put in place.
- Additional housing requirements and requirements to control midges with insecticides may also be put in place within the 20km zone.
If you suspect the presence of the disease, contact your local Divisional Veterinary Office immediately. To find out the telephone number of your nearest office, call the DARD helpline on: 02890524999, or visit the DARD website at: www.dardni.gov.uk
Is there a vaccine for animals?
The Bluetongue Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 prohibits vaccination of animals within Northern Ireland unless authorised by the Department. No vaccines are currently suitable against the outbreak of BTV8 in Northern Europe but are expected to be available later this year.
Will infected animals be slaughtered?
This will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking account of the epidemiological investigation and the veterinary risk assessment. However, due to the vector-borne nature of the disease, widespread slaughter is unlikely to be used to control Bluetongue.
What compensation is payable?
Compensation is payable in accordance with the Diseases of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 for animals destroyed for the purpose of disease control.
Compensation would not be payable in the following circumstances:
- Imported infected or exposed animals slaughtered on a discretionary basis as a disease risk.
- Seriously affected animals destroyed for welfare reasons by decision of the owner.
Related Link
For more information, please click on the link below.