Background
Bluetongue is a notifiable insect-borne viral disease that affects all ruminants, such as cattle, goat, deer and, in particular, sheep. It cannot be spread directly between animals and relies on the midge for transmission. The disease does not affect humans and there are no public health or food safety implications.
Bluetongue has previously been found within the EU, but only in warmer Mediterranean countries (Spain, Portugal, and Italy). Midges are not active in temperatures below 15ºC and winter usually halts the spread of the virus in cooler climates.
During 2007 there were a number of cases of bluetongue reported in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany. During 2008 disease has recurred in these areas and spread northwards, eastwards and to the UK. At present restriction zones are in place around the areas where the disease is occurring. These include a ban on the export of livestock.
New legislation came into force on 6th June 2008 that provides the legal framework required for a compulsory vaccination campaign in Scotland later in the year and tightens further restrictions on animals entering Scotland.
Defra has published the first epidemiology report into the UK bluetongue outbreak, based on the situation up to 19 October 2007. The report concluded that the infection was likely to have been initially introduced into Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex on the night of 4th/5th August 2007 by windborne transmission of infected midges from continental Europe. The report can be found here:
The Vector Free Period, previously declared throughout GB in December 2007, ended on 15 March 2008. This means that movement restrictions have returned to the strict regime that was in place before the Vector Free Period was declared and bluetongue susceptible animals are generally not able to leave bluetongue Restricted Zones in England and Wales.