Farmers in Wales have been put on alert following the discovery of cases of bluetongue in sheep. The new strain of the virus was detected in sheep from Gwynedd that had been relocated from an area in eastern England where a restricted zone is already in place. The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has stressed the importance of caution when sourcing livestock, especially from regions at risk of bluetongue. FUW president Ian Rickman emphasised the need for vigilance to prevent the spread of the disease, which can be transmitted through midges, infected semen, and embryos. Increased awareness of the clinical signs of bluetongue infection in animals is also crucial, according to Rickman.
Further investigations are ongoing at the affected farm in Gwynedd to assess if additional control measures are necessary. Bluetongue is a disease that affects various livestock animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, deer, and llamas, manifesting symptoms like a swollen, blue tongue, fever, reduced milk production, and in severe cases, death. It is important to note that bluetongue does not pose a risk to humans or food safety. Norfolk and Suffolk recently saw movement restrictions imposed on sheep and cattle to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks, as reported by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).
Notably, there has been a rise in bluetongue cases in countries like the Netherlands, Germany, France, Luxembourg, and Denmark, elevating the threat level for susceptible animals in the UK. Between November 2023 and March 2024, there were 126 cases of bluetongue in England, primarily in cattle and some in sheep across four counties, with the BTV-3 strain identified in Kent, Norfolk, and Suffolk. This marked the first bluetongue outbreak in the UK since 2007, a challenging time for farmers who were also combatting bird flu and foot-and-mouth disease.
As the situation unfolds, farmers are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to safeguard their livestock and prevent the further spread of bluetongue. Maintaining awareness of the disease and its transmission methods is key to protecting the agricultural industry in Wales and beyond.