Britain’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has reduced the risk of an incursion of bluetongue from high to low.

Since the beginning of October, there has been a noticeable decline in the circulation of bluetongue in northern Europe, DEFRA stated.

The largest drivers behind this are likely to be the drop in temperature and reduced vector activity.

“Even if virus transmission is expected to have reduced in recent weeks, further cases are likely to be detected due to variability in the expression of clinical signs, especially in the presence of active surveillance and pre-movement testing,” it added.

The number of bluetongue-3 outbreaks detected in Britain since its previous assessment on 4 September 2024 increased from just 15 cases localised to Suffolk and Norfolk to 185 cases, with spread across 30 counties across England and Wales.

Some 170 cases were identified between 4 September and 17 December.

DEFRA stated that there have been numerous reports of the virus in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland.

It has been detected for the first time in a number of other previously unaffected European countries, it added, including Norway, Czechia, Austria, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, Greece and Poland.

Farmer advice

DEFRA is strongly advising livestock owners to source replacement stock responsibly and consult with their vet to put controls in place to prevent the introduction of bluetongue.

“It is also strongly advisable to request pre-movement testing of animals prior to departure as a further check to ensure that animals are clear of infection before they travel,” it added.

Under current rules, susceptible livestock cannot be moved to Britain without prior vaccination for countries affected with bluetongue.

Ireland

A ban on cattle, sheep and other ruminant imports to Ireland from Britain remains in place since November 2023.

In its most recent update, the Department of Agriculture stated that the risk of bluetongue transmission to Ireland will increase in spring 2025, when temperatures increase and midges become more active again.

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