France reported 299 new outbreaks of Bluetongue between 26 October and 26 September according to the latest report from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs international disease monitoring. A total of 473 outbreaks have been reported in France this year alone. However the restricted zone has not changed as a result of these cases and has been the same since April.

Most cases were detected through active surveillance (e.g. pre-movement testing). Just two clinical cases were reported, one where a calf tested positive during routine movement tests and another where 18 out of 54 sheep showed the clinical signs of depression, inappetance, pyrexia and some ophthalmological signs.

While DEFRA said that the risk level is expected to reduce for the UK in the coming weeks, it cannot yet be reduced from medium as a mild November may prolong the vector season.

Elsewhere in Europe BTV-8 is present in Cyprus, while BTV-4 is circulating in south east Europe, particularly in North East Italy.

Farmers urged to be vigilant for Bluetongue

Bluetongue risk in England to decrease in coming weeks

The latest DEFRA report on Bluetongue shows that while the risk remains at a medium level, it will decrease in the coming weeks even though there has an increase in the number of outbreaks in France.