The National Sheep Association (NSA) and the Sheep Veterinary Society (SVS) have worked together to provide guidance to UK farmers as the number of bluetongue (BTV) cases continues to rise.
NSA also identified that it was the time of year when breeding and store sheep sales peak, as high temperatures mean that UK farmers are struggling with both food and water supplies.
The organisations suggested that the disease was more widespread than the official figures, due to the lack of reporting and a delay in reported figures, meaning the risk and spread is potentially greater than the figures suggest.
NSA noted that unvaccinated animals that are apparently healthy at the time of sale may already have been infected with bluetongue, which can cause infertility. Bringing them onto farms could risk establishing new pockets of infectivity, it said, and it encouraged owners to consider high levels of quarantining, observation and fertility testing before using the rams this breeding season.
“We must acknowledge that there are risks involved with moving animals in the face of a disease outbreak.”
Phil Stocker and Phillipa Page, NSA and SVS
Animals vaccinated 28 days before the sale may still be a risk if they faced active disease before their vaccination has taken effect, NSA warned, so quarantine and observation is important. Unvaccinated animals that are bitten by midges immediately before the sale, during the sale or immediately after can develop disease in the following days and weeks.
Vaccination and completion of immunity build up periods before either the sale or being bitten by an infected midge is the best way to protect animals, said NSA, and fully vaccinated animals are likely to be actively sought by buyers this season.
NSA chief executive, Phil Stocker and Phillipa Page, president of the Sheep Veterinary Society, said in a joint statement: “The emergence of BTV-3 cases across the UK is rapidly growing. The south west is dealing with an unprecedented number of reported cases, and we also know that there is a time lag in reporting, so the situation is far worse than the figures suggest. It is unfortunate that the likely peak of the disease will coincide with the most active time for the trade of breeding stock across the UK.
“We must acknowledge that there are risks involved with moving animals in the face of a disease outbreak, even though the vector for disease transmission is a midge. Trade is important but so is the protection of our livestock from a disease that many are finding devastating, and we must find ways of being highly careful and responsible.
“There is no risk of direct transmission of bluetongue from animal to animal. It is a notifiable disease and so all cases must be reported. This is a disease that could easily be confused with other BT variants and Foot and Mouth disease.
“We have put together this clear guidance for buyers and sellers to understand and appreciate the risks. The focus here is buyer beware - your decisions could impact on your own flock health and that of your neighbours.”
