May 28, 2024

 

UK government unveils plan to combat bluetongue virus

The UK government has outlined its strategy to collaborate with the farming industry to manage a potential outbreak of bluetongue virus in England this year through the Bluetongue Serotype 3 Disease Control Framework.

 

The Framework sets out how disease control efforts will focus on movement control of susceptible animals and their germinal products (semen, eggs, ova, and embryos) as a precautionary tool to stem the spread of the disease until a safe and effective vaccine for bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) becomes widely available.

 

The government is working to facilitate safe access to a BTV-3 vaccine as soon as possible, including engaging with vaccine manufacturers, but it is vital that any vaccine has the confidence of industry, consumers, and trading partners.

 

UK Biosecurity Minister Lord Douglas Miller emphasised the importance of proactive planning and preparation to minimize the impact on farmers and livestock keepers. He said they are actively engaging with vaccine manufacturers and industry about access to a safe and effective BTV-3 vaccine that has undergone thorough due diligence.

 

All disease control decisions will be kept under constant review to ensure they remain proportionate and effective in controlling the spread of the disease, Lord Miller said.

 

This includes understanding the efficacy of any vaccine, together with potential impacts on trade - a view shared by the industry. The UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) is actively monitoring vaccine data from EU countries and will continue to work with the industry on any decisions regarding the use of a deployable vaccine.

 

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christine Middlemiss said the Bluetongue Disease Control Framework sets out how they can minimise the impact of a potential outbreak of disease, using the latest scientific and veterinary advice to reduce disease transmission as much as possible.

 

Dr Middlemiss said they know that the likelihood of bluetongue virus entering the UK is increasing and so she would urge farmers to remain vigilant and report any suspicions to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

 

Animal and Plant Health Agency Chief Executive David Holdsworth said that the Animal and Plant Health Agency's world-leading scientists, vets, and field teams stand ready to tackle an outbreak of bluetongue virus, and the deployment of APHA resources will be adapted to ensure the approach remains appropriate and proportionate.

 

He said they will continue to work closely with farmers and animal keepers to ensure they are kept up to date and supported during any outbreak.”

 

The Framework confirms that upon first detection of disease in England, 20 km movement control zones will likely be established to prevent the movement of potentially infected animals and germinal products. These zones will be no bigger than necessary to contain and slow disease spread. They will be kept under constant review and modified or withdrawn when no longer proportionate if disease circulation becomes widespread. Movement of animals within zones and moves to slaughter will be permitted.

 

Free testing will be offered for animals moving from the highest risk counties to other parts of Great Britain to guard against the spread of undetected disease. Tests will become available once the risk level increases.

 

Upon the first detection of bluetongue virus, if there is limited local spread, bluetongue control zones will be put in place alongside limited culling of infected animals to contain and eradicate the disease. Keepers will be compensated at market value for any animals culled. Culling will be limited as once bluetongue is circulating in biting midges in an area, culling livestock is not effective.

 

The trajectory of any outbreak is difficult to predict, but there is an active surveillance programme running, which involves trapping midges across the country and working with partners such as the UK Met Office to monitor the likely spread of the virus based on temperature and wind patterns.

 

The Framework follows the recent publication of APHA's latest risk assessment, confirming a very high probability of bluetongue virus entering Great Britain during 2024 through infected midges from northern Europe.

 

Since last November, there have been 126 confirmed bluetongue cases in England across 73 premises in four counties, with the last case confirmed on March 8, 2024. As of today, there are no live cases of bluetongue virus. All cases confirmed to date have been detected through active surveillance, with animals likely infected in late autumn 2023.

 

-      Gov.uk