September 2, 2010

Australia revises bluetongue restrictions

The National Arbovirus Monitoring Program has changed its bluetongue virus boundaries, after the detection of infected cattle on a Pilbara station in Western Australia (WA).

The discovery will mean an extra 20 stations in the region will no longer be able to sell stock to markets in Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Bluetongue is a sub-tropical virus that's carried by midges. It mainly affects sheep and goats, but it can also be carried by cattle.

Dr Tony Higgs, from the WA Department of Agriculture and Food, said the 20 stations were only last year classified as being free of bluetongue, but unfortunately are now back on the infected areas list.