New bluetongue case confirmed in Wales
Evidence suggests that bluetongue is not currently circulating in Wales.
The Welsh government has confirmed that a case of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) has been detected in an animal moved to Anglesey from the East of England.
The new case comes after BTV-3 was detected in three sheep in Gwynedd on 27 September. The three sheep had also been moved to Wales from the East of England. These cases are the first time that bluetongue has been identified in Wales.
After the cases in Gwynedd were detected, the infected animals were culled to prevent the virus from spreading. The Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Pirbright Institute have also undertaken extensive sampling and laboratory testing.
All of the sheep which had been moved to the premises at the same time as the infected animals have tested negative. The resident sheep and cattle have also tested negative. Further testing is planned and movement restrictions remain in place that mean that no livestock can be moved on or off the premises.
Because of the negative test results, the deputy chief veterinary officer of Wales has reached an interim conclusion that BTV-3 is unlikely to be circulating in Wales.
In a written statement published yesterday (2 October) in response to the Gwynedd cases, Huw Irranca-Davies, cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs, said: ‘My policy goal remains to keep bluetongue out of Wales, for the benefit of our animals and of those who keep them.
‘I appreciate that many in the farming community will be concerned about bluetongue. Dealing successfully with a disease incursion such as this requires co-operation and collaboration between farmers, vets and the various government agencies involved.
‘I would like to thank farmers in Wales for their vigilance, and I am grateful to all concerned for the swift action taken to deal with this incident.’
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03003 038 268 in Wales or 03000 200 301 in England. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office.
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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.
