Farmers facing increased bluetongue risk
Our farmers are being urged to review their bluetongue plans, speak to their vet about vaccination and keep a close watch on the situation as cases continue to rise.
Bluetongue is a notifiable viral disease spread mainly by biting midges, which have seen numbers increase in this year’s dry, hot weather.
It can cause serious disease in sheep, cattle and other ruminants with wider consequences for animal welfare, breeding decisions, stock movements and farm profitability.
The current focus is bluetongue serotype 3, or BTV-3. Defra’s latest updates show confirmed cases rising and farmers are being warned to treat it as an active, day-to-day livestock health risk.
Vaccination should now be central to planning with farmers told to contact their vets as soon as possible to discuss which animals should be prioritised and how vaccine timing fits with breeding, lambing, calving, sales and movement plans.
A farm vet is best placed to assess the risk to individual farms, taking account of location, stock type, previous disease history, replacement purchases, grazing patterns and the timing of breeding.
The available BTV-3 vaccines can reduce the severity and impact of disease but there are strict rules around its use, alongside accurate record keeping and reporting within the required timeframe. Being vaccinated does not override official movement controls or trade restrictions.
The Defra guidance also includes regularly checking updates on current cases, restricted zones, movements, testing, vaccination and biosecurity.
Signs in sheep include:
- Fever
- Lameness
- Drooling
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, head or neck
- Ulcers or sores around the mouth and nose
- Discharge from the eyes or nose
- Breathing problems
- Abortions or stillbirths
- In severe cases, death
In cattle, signs can be more subtle and farmers should watch for:
- Lethargy
- Nasal discharge
- Crusting around the muzzle
- Redness of the mouth, eyes or nose
- Lameness
- Milk drop
- Reduced appetite
- Teat lesions
- Abortions, foetal deformities or stillbirths
Calves and lambs can also be affected before birth if the dam is infected during pregnancy.
Any suspicion of bluetongue must be reported as soon as possible. It is a notifiable disease and failure to report suspected disease is an offence.
Early reporting also helps official surveillance and enables faster investigation, which is vital when the disease picture is changing rapidly.
Alongside vaccination, practical measures can help reduce the risk. Farmers should review stock movements carefully, source animals responsibly, isolate and observe incoming stock where appropriate and consider how grazing, housing and high-risk fields may affect exposure to biting midges.
Farmers should also keep in touch with their vet, market, haulier and customers before moving or selling animals, especially where movements involve borders, breeding animals or germinal products such as semen, ova or embryos.
Our advice is to take a proactive, veterinary-led approach - assess risk now, vaccinate where appropriate, monitor animals closely, follow Defra guidance and keep records up to date.
Bluetongue control is an ongoing process which needs to be reviewed as case numbers, weather, midge activity and official rules develop.
The key message for farmers is simple: speak to your vet, stay abreast of Defra updates and do not delay decisions until disease is already close by.
Acting early gives farmers the best chance of protecting animal welfare and reducing production losses.
As well as guidance from Defra at gov.uk/guidance/bluetongue-latest-situation, the AHDB’s latest information can be found at ahdb.org.uk/bluetongue
