The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has urged all farmers to exercise vigilance and to source animals responsibly following the first confirmation of Bluetongue Virus (BTV) in Wales.
On 26 August 2024, the first case of BTV serotype 3 (BTV-3) was confirmed in a single sheep at a premises in Norfolk, England.
Infection has now been confirmed on over 100 premises in England and last night Wales confirmed its first BTV case due to imported animals from the East of England.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, has warned:
“The confirmation of the first BTV case in Wales from an imported animal is a stark reminder of the threat Bluetongue presents to Northern Ireland.
"One of the main risks of Bluetongue entering Northern Ireland is from importing infected animals.
“Bluetongue does not affect human health or food safety however an incursion to Northern Ireland would have a significant impact on livestock and the rural economy.
"I ask that farmers maintain vigilant for signs of the disease reporting any suspicions to DAERA immediately. This ongoing spread of the disease across England, including the case now confirmed in Wales from imported animals, further highlights the importance of also sourcing animals responsibly".
Suspect cases of BTV can be reported he DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office. Farmers should also isolate suspect animals indoors.
Further information on BTV, including clinical signs and questions and answers can be obtained from the DAERA website.
Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a notifiable exotic disease that infects ruminant animals (such as sheep, cattle, goats and deer) and camelids (such as llama and alpaca).
The Bluetongue virus is spread by midges which transfer the virus from animal to animal by biting them or by infected germplasm (semen or ova).
Bluetongue affects all ruminants, such as cattle, goats, deer, lamas, alpacas and sheep. Clinical signs can vary by species – although symptoms are generally more severe in sheep.
Symptoms include fever, swelling of the head and neck, lameness, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes, drooling and there is often a high mortality rate.
Generally, cattle and goats are less severely affected but cattle and goats, which appear healthy, can carry high levels of the virus and provide a source of further infection.