March 4, 2008

UK farms on bluetongue alert after confirmed reports

Farms in South Oxfordshire, England are placed in a bluetongue protection zone following a number of confirmed cases of the disease in Buckinghamshire.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced a series of intensified protection and surveillance zones across the UK as the disease is believed to be spreading across the South East.

UK farmers are advised to check their animals and apply for special movement licences before taking their sheep and cattle to slaughter.

Government officials have confirmed that there is now an outbreak of the virus, which is spread by a species of midge.

Although symptoms are most severe in sheeps, veterinarians said cattle, goats, deer and sheep are also susceptible.

Key indicators of bluetongue disease include a high fever, excessive salivation, swelling of the head and neck, lameness and sometimes discolouration of the tongue.

According to Defra, in some susceptible breeds of sheep, up to 70 percent of a flock can die from the virus.

Animals that survive the disease can suffer long-term damage such as a reduction in meat and wool production. The virus does not affect humans.

Although bluetongue cannot be transmitted directly between animals, Defra said it cannot rule out possible transmission of the virus between livestock by unhygienic practices.