Bluetongue in Great Britain: Current situation and animal movement guidelines for shows

Current situation

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease affecting sheep, cattle, and other ruminants, spread by biting midges. In England, there have been 126 cases across 73 premises in four counties: 119 in cattle and 7 in sheep. Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) has been found in Kent, Norfolk, and Suffolk. Currently, there is no evidence of the virus circulating in biting midges in Great Britain.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary but can include fever, lesions, redness around the mouth, eyes, and nose, reddening above the hoof, excessive salivation, and nasal discharge. Some animals may show little to no clinical signs.

Key points on moving bluetongue susceptible animals to shows

In England

• Risk areas: Higher risk in south and south-east England; consider risks before moving susceptible animals.
• Midge control: Recommended where practical.
• Animal health: Do not accept animals with disease signs; report notifiable diseases to APHA.
• Licensing: Required inside bluetongue zones for moving susceptible animals to showgrounds within control zones. No entry from free areas without meeting exit criteria post-show.
• Restricted zone movements: Free movement within the same zone; exiting requires testing and restrictions.
• During shows: If a zone is declared after the show starts, the show can continue, but no new susceptible animals are allowed. Licensing needed for leaving animals, with testing and restrictions.

Suspicion or confirmation of bluetongue

• Immediate action: Notify APHA if suspected; consult APHA for advice.
• Show continuation: Possible with all susceptible animals remaining for investigation.
• Confirmed cases: APHA will advise on control measures and testing for animal departure.

Full guidance published by the English government can be found here.

In Wales/Scotland

• There is currently no government guidance on moving animals to and from shows.

Bluetongue testing in high-risk counties

Livestock keepers in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, and East Sussex can apply for free bluetongue testing for animals to be moved out of these high-risk areas or sold at markets with buyers from outside these counties.

• Apply for free testing at least 10 working days before the planned movement or market date.
• The vet should sample your animals 5 working days before the move or market to ensure timely results.

Contact for free testing

Telephone: 0800 612 5289 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. You can leave a message outside of these hours).

Email: admin@ukfarmcare.com

How Herdwatch can help with movement records:

Register OFF movements in seconds by tapping on the animals you plan to move.

Register ON movements by simply scanning the barcode on the animal passport using the smart bar-code scanner in the Herdwatch app.

Correct data sent promptly compliance is a critical part of a Beef enterprise, therefore it is critical that the correct movement data is sent on time and in a format that is acceptable.

Report death of a registered animal.