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Bluetongue

What is bluetongue?

Bluetongue is an insect-borne viral disease. The virus is transmitted by a small biting midge of the Culicoides genus, rather than from animal to animal. The virus affects all ruminants but not pigs, horses or humans.

In September 2009, the Institute for Animal Health identified the presence of bluetongue in a cow in Suffolk; the first recorded case in the UK.

Investigation into negative cases

VLA published a report on the results of investigations (pdf 793kb) into ten disease incidents in cattle that resulted in suspicion of bluetongue disease on clinical grounds, but which subsequently gave negative laboratory results.

The aim of the study was to determine whether these disease incidents were due to a known endemic disease or a potentially new or unrecognised disease. Investigations were carried out by veterinary investigation officers from the VLA.

Epidemiology

Defra's epidemiology report shows the distribution of bluetongue infection in Great Britain. It uses information and data from a number of sources, including the results of pre-movement testing of livestock during the vector free period from 20 December to 15 March 2008. During this period over 90,000 samples from cattle and sheep in the restricted zones were tested at VLA Weybridge.

Testing

All bluetongue testing, including ELISA and PCR tests, is carried out by the Institute for Animal Health at Pirbright.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease and therefore you must contact your local
Animal Health Office if you suspect signs of the disease.