Bluetongue

In this section you can find out more about Bluetongue - one of the British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) current issues.

Background

Bluetongue is a disease caused by a virus spread by midges, which affects ruminants but not pigs, horses or humans. It is characterised by changes to the mucous linings of the mouth and nose and the coronary band of the foot. Bluetongue is present when it is confirmed by laboratory tests that the Bluetongue virus (BTV) is circulating in an area. It has the potential to cause considerable animal suffering and further devastation to our livestock farming industry.

Current situation

On 4 June 2010 the European Commission announced that Great Britain would be classified as a Lower Risk Zone (LRZ) for Bluetongue from 12 June 2010.

The LRZ is a new classification which requires stricter vaccination conditions to be placed on Bluetongue-susceptible animals being imported. These stringent conditions are:

vaccination plus a 60-day wait; or
vaccination plus a test 14 days after onset of immunity; or
booster vaccination within the time stated on each vaccine’s data sheet.

Veterinary surgeons should inform clients who import susceptible animals of the changes to import rules, which will take effect on 12 June.

As part of the JAB (Joint campaign Against Bluetongue) campaign group, the BVA and the veterinary profession is also urging farmers to continue to vaccinate their livestock due to the small but ongoing risks of re-infection from wind-borne spread of the disease and of importing infected foetuses. A small but significant number of pregnant animals could be carrying a BTV-infected foetus but still respond negatively to the post-import blood test.

What the BVA has done

We have joined a range of organisations from across all elements of the livestock sector who have committed to a Joint campaign Against Bluetongue (JAB).

The aim of JAB is to control the spread of the disease. The key to achieving this is the mass vaccination of Bluetongue susceptible animals. England, Scotland and Wales are seeking mass vaccination through a voluntary approach. Vaccination is illegal in Northern Ireland unless authorised by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Dardni).

The veterinary profession is central to the campaign's success.

Authorised vaccines are available from Fort Dodge (Zulvac 8 Bovis), Intervet (Bovilis BTV8) and Merial (BTVPUR AlSap 8) through veterinary surgeons.

Find key vaccination information, including movement certificates, on these pages