Bluetongue restricted zone extended
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has extended the restricted zone after new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) were detected along the border of the zone.
The newly expanded zone now includes Nottinghamshire, part of Leicestershire and part of Northamptonshire.
The zone already included the East Riding of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Greater London, Kent, Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex, and part of Hampshire.
Within the restricted zone, susceptible animals can only be moved if it is essential. A specific licence is needed to move a susceptible animal from within the restricted zone to outside of the zone.
On 6 October, four cases of BTV-3 were confirmed affecting two premises in Essex, one in Norfolk and one in Suffolk. The previous day saw one case in Norfolk and one in Suffolk.
The virus was also detected outside the restricted zone in two sheep in Yorkshire and one bovine in Cornwall on 5 October. The animals had been moved from different premises in Suffolk before the restricted zone was put in place.
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. In Northern Ireland, suspected cases should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.
A map of the areas where restrictions apply can be found here.
Image © Shutterstock
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.
