Farmers have been warned a new strain of the bluetongue virus could be on its way to Britain, potentially impacting livestock across the country.
One of the key symptoms of the disease, which can be carried by midges, is a blue, swollen tongue and concerns are growing as the summer months approach.
It can also reduce the amount of milk an animal is capable of producing, and in the most severe cases, can cause death.A new strain of bluetongue known as BTV-3, which emerged in the Netherlands in September 2023, was first identified in England in November. Concerns are growing as the summer months approach, with biting midges most active between April and November. Their movement across long distances depends on wind patterns and temperatures, according to experts.How can the spread of the disease be stopped?
The Animal and Plant Health Agency have been monitoring bluetongue by using midge traps set up across the country. “While we all know that a vaccine provides the long-term solution it is becoming increasingly clear that the Dutch BTV-3 vaccine won’t be authorised for use in the UK quickly enough to protect livestock this summer.
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