BLUE TONGUE- FAQ

WHAT IT IS IT?

Blue tongue is a viral disease. It is passed to animals via midges that have bitten an infected animal. In theory, and infected midge can be blown a long way before it bites an uninfected animal. This is why control zones are so large. It affects ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats) and camelids (alpacas, llamas, etc).

WHAT WILL I SEE IF WE GET IT?

Sheep

Cattle

If you suspect an animal on your farm is suffering from bluetongue, you should contact DEFRA, or your vet for advice.

WHAT ARE ALL THE "ZONES"?

Free Zone - What we are now. No cases of Blue tongue, and none nearby. We cannot vaccinate (under EU law) until we have been designated a Protection Zone.

Restriction Zone - Encompasses the surveillance zone and protection zone. As there have been no cases in the UK, this was based on last year.

Surveillance Zone - Area covering at least 150km radius from an infected holding.

Protection Zone - Area covering at least 20km radius from an infected holding. This has been expanded throughout the summer to take in the whole of the surveillance zone, allowing wider use of vaccine. This will now continue as an expansion into areas previously designated as "free zone".

CAN I MOVE MY ANIMALS?

Animals can be moved freely within the protection zone (as they can be moved freely at the moment with in the free area). They can also be moved from the protection zone to a free area if certain conditions are met. Animals must be either vaccinated or proved to have natural immunity to blue tongue.

Non vaccinated animals: must be subjected to 2 blood tests. These must be positive for blue tongue antibodies (proving protection against the disease). The first must be done at least 60 days before the movement and the 2nd, less than 7 days before the movement. In practice, as there have been no blue tongue cases in this area, natural immunity will not occur so this will not be an option.

Vaccinated animals: Must have been vaccinated at least 60 days before the movement. This can be shortened slightly by a negative PCR blood test carried out at least 35 days after vaccination for cattle.

CAN I SELL MY ANIMALS?

Animals can be sold after vaccination and the same rules apply regarding movements.

There are no restrictions if sold with in the "Protection Zone".

If selling to the "Free Area", the same rules apply as per movements (see above). They must also be accompanied by a signed declaration from the owner that they have been vaccinated and a signed declaration from the vet that vaccine was sold to the owner. (We will need empty vials returned to us so we can certify this)

If planning to export, animals must be vaccinated by the vet and a signed certificate then supplied.

Pregnant animals cannot be moved from a "Protection Zone" to a "Free Area" unless certain conditions have been met prior to insemination. Please contact us if details are required.

WHEN CAN WE VACCINATE?

Vaccination will start once we have been designated a "Protection Zone". WAG plan to make an announcement on their plans soon, but it will not happen before the 17th of August. This is reliant on vaccine production levels. It is likely that it will be rolled out gradually across the south of Wales before extending northwards. WAG are aware of issues relating to the Builth Ram Sales.

HOW DO WE VACCINATE?

Sheep - one dose of 1ml each given under the skin.

Cattle - two doses of 1ml each, 3 wks apart, also under the skin.

Blue tongue vaccine should not be given within two weeks of any other vaccine. Animals must be over 1 month of age. Animals under this age should have protection via colostrums from their dam if she has been vaccinated. Animals are covered 3 weeks after the last vaccination. The vaccine has a nil withhold for milk and meat.

HOW DO WE GET HOLD OF VACCINE?

Vaccine can only be ordered through your vets (us). You will be contacted when vaccine is delivered to us. Cost is expected to be between 65-78p per dose and is dependent on the pack size bought. (20ml or 50ml vials). When ordering, please remember that an opened vial should be used within 8 hours. Any vaccine left at that time must be discarded. Please contact the practice if very small quantities are required. Payment on the day is requested, and cold transport from the practice to the farm will be needed.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

The vaccine is a killed vaccine and so should not cause any more problems than those vaccines already used regularly, such as BVD and Lepto. It can cause a short increase in temperature, shortly after administration. Reports of abortion are unconfirmed, with stress of the vaccination procedure being thought to be a factor in the few cases reported. Any reactions should be reported to your vet immediately so they can be passed on to the licensing authority.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO APART FROM VACCINATION?

Protection from midges is very important in the fight against spread of the disease. Not moving animals at dusk and dawn when these insects are most active will cut down on your animal's exposure to them. Keeping animals away from dung heaps can also help as midges are attracted to these. Insecticides can also help though will not reduce the risk to zero. Those containing Deltamethrin are recommended e.g. Butox Swish.

ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO KNOW?

If you have access to the internet, DEFRA's website is updated regularly as the situation changes. We are covered by the Welsh Assembly Government Animal Health Office, but the Bluetongue strategy is the same across England and Wales. www.defra.gov.uk/bluetongue

Advice can be sought from the local Animal Health Office:

Telephone - 01267 245400

Advice is also available from us at Carmarthen Veterinary Centre of course!!

Telephone - 01267 22040, or stop in to see us.