Bluetongue case confirmed in Kent
The case was confirmed near Faversham.
The current outbreak of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) has reached a new county after a case was confirmed in a single sheep near Faversham, Kent.
The case was confirmed on 12 September and a temporary control zone was initially put in place. However, this has now been revoked and the restricted zone that covers Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and part of Greater London has been extended to cover part of Kent.
Keepers of sheep, cattle, camelids, and other ruminants within the restricted zone must follow the movement restrictions in place. Susceptible animals within the restricted zone can only be moved if it is essential. A specific licence is needed to move an animal from within the zone to outside of the zone.
On 13 September, three more cases were confirmed in Essex and one in Norfolk, bringing the total number of premises affected to 56 during the current vector season.
Kent was previously affected by bluetongue during the last vector season. The first case of the BTV-3 strain in Great Britain was confirmed on a farm near Canterbury in November 2023.
As part of efforts to limit the impact of the virus, three unauthorised vaccines for BTV-3 were recently permitted for use under licence. Movement restrictions will still apply to vaccinated animals as the vaccines reduce symptoms of the virus rather than prevents it.
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office.
A map of the areas where restrictions apply can be found here.
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With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
