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.
In light of recent developments in the disease situation elsewhere in GB, on 16 September 2008 the Scottish Government Industry Bluetongue Stakeholder Group agreed there was an increased disease risk to the Scottish bluetongue susceptible livestock sectors and that Scotland should commence a compulsory vaccination programme, this programme started on the 3rd of November 2008.
Bluetongue has traditionally been found in warmer Mediterranean countries within the EU (Spain, Portugal, and Italy). The bluetongue virus is unable to multiply below 15ºC and midges show decreased activity below this temperature, so 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 specific movement restrictions out of the zones.
The Bluetongue (Scotland) Order 2008 (as amended) came into force on 6th June 2008 provides the legal framework required for a compulsory BTV8 vaccination campaign in Scotland and further tightens 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