Revised Bluetongue control strategy published

PRNewswire-GNN London 23 August

London, 23 August /PRNewswire-GNN/ --

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (News Release
ref :271/07) issued by The Government News Network on 23 August 2007
Defra has today published a revised Bluetongue Disease Control Strategy for
the U.K.

Bluetongue has re-emerged this year in the Northern European countries
affected during 2006 (Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, parts of Western
Germany and areas of Northern France).  On the basis of these developments,
there is a low but increased risk of spread to the UK from the affected areas.

Defra and the Devolved Governments have been working in partnership with
industry to review Bluetongue control measures and share decision-making to
agree this control strategy, which builds on the principles of responsibility
and cost sharing.

The plans are set out in a Bluetongue Control Strategy document and, in line
with other exotic diseases, includes rigorous measures to keep disease out
of the UK and contain any outbreaks.

Bluetongue differs from other diseases in terms of its impact and the way
it spreads, and the document reflects this with more proportionate measures
taking account of the potential need to respond appropriately if it were to
become widespread.

Chief Veterinary Officer, Debby Reynolds said:

"We have been reviewing our Bluetongue controls to ensure they address new
risks proportionately and effectively, and reflects the emerging evidence
from the outbreaks in Northern Europe in the last 12 months.

"We have worked in partnership with industry, sharing all available information
on the disease with a working group of stakeholders to ensure that we reach
a shared understanding of risks, roles, and responsibilities.

"The latest disease situation in Northern Europe highlights the importance
of preparedness for this disease.  While the risk to the U.K. is still low,
it is clearly heightened.  With the presence of disease in Northern Europe,
it is important that animal keepers are vigilant, alert to signs of disease
and that they report any suspicion to Animal Health immediately."

The Industry working group said:

"The process of reviewing the control measures has, we believe, clearly
demonstrated the need for government and industry to work in partnership on
disease control strategy.

"We are convinced that as a result of this work we will have better
arrangements and while there is still more to do, particularly in securing
changes to the EU legislation, the UK livestock industry is happy to support
this revised Control Strategy."

Bluetongue has no public health implications and does not affect
humans.  The Bluetongue Disease Control Strategy 2007 can be viewed at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/index.htm

Notes to Editors

1. Bluetongue was found in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, in parts of
Western Germany and in areas in Northern France during Summer 2006.  Cases have
since been confirmed in 2007 in these countries (see link to map below).

[http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/index.htm]

2. The virus is spread by midges which transfer the virus from animal to
animal by biting them.  It has never occurred in the UK.

3. Bluetongue affects all ruminants, such as cattle, goats, deer and sheep.
Clinical signs can vary by species - although symptoms are generally more
severe in sheep, cattle can also show signs of disease (and can act as a
reservoir for disease to keep infection circulating). It is not a zoonosis
and cannot infect humans.

4. Clinical signs in sheep may include: fever; swelling of the head and neck;
inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membrane of the mouth, nose and
eyelids; lameness; muscle degeneration and leaking of blood or serum from
blood vessels into the surrounding tissues; haemorrhages in the skin and
other tissues; respiratory signs such as froth in the lungs and an inability
to swallow; and a high mortality rate (in some cases sudden death without
showing classical symptoms).  Sometimes, although it is rare with BTV8,
there may be some discolouration and swelling of the tongue.

5. Although Bluetongue usually causes no apparent illness in cattle or goats,
cattle are displaying clinical signs during the current outbreak of BTV8 in
Western Europe. These have included nasal discharge, swelling and ulceration
of the mouth and swollen teats.

6. Virus transmission between animals occurs via an insect vector (midges
of Culicoides species), when a midge bites an infected animal and passes
the infection to an uninfected naive animal.  Transmission of the virus
during an outbreak therefore depends on continuing cycles of infection
between infected animals and vector insects. Bluetongue cannot be naturally
transmitted directly between animals.

7. The Industry working group is comprised of senior individuals from the
following organisations:

British Cattle Veterinary Society
British Meat Processors Association
National Beef Association
National Farmers Union
National Sheep Association
Livestock Auctioneers Association
Sheep Veterinary Society

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