Animal health

Bluetongue

The Secretary of State for environment, food and rural affairs has made a declaration of a bluetongue protection and surveillance zone.  Lewes is within the protection zone and therefore certain restrictions and legal obligations are in force which affect the Lewes District.

In accordance with a requirement under the Animal Health Act 1981 the Lewes District Council publish a copy of the order and the defined zones which can be viewed from the following link
www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/

Or for an interactive map searchable by post-code you may also visit
www.gisdiseasemap.defra.gov.uk/intmaps/FMD/map.jsp

What is Bluetongue

Bluetongue is a disease of animals affecting all ruminants, including sheep, cattle, deer, goats and camelids (camels, llamas, alpacas, guanaco and vicuña). It does not affect horses or pigs. Although sheep are most severely affected, cattle are the main mammalian reservoir of the virus and are very important in the epidemiology of the disease. It is characterised by changes to the mucous linings of the mouth and nose and the coronary band of the foot. The disease is caused by a virus spread by certain types of biting midges. Bluetongue does not affect humans.

Cause

Bluetongue is caused by a virus.  The virus is transmitted by a small number of species of biting midges.  When a midge bites an infected animal, the virus passes to the midge in the blood meal and the virus multiples in the midge.  Bluetongue virus cannot naturally be transmitted directly between animals.  Virus transmission between animals occurs via these midges.  However, the likelihood of mechanical transmission of the virus between herds/flocks and within a herd/flock by unhygienic practices (e.g. use of contaminated surgical equipment or hypodermic needles) cannot be excluded.

What to do if you suspect Bluetongue or if you need to move animals

Guidance on what to do if you suspect bluetongue, or need to move animals for slaughter or to other locations within or outside the protection zone can be found at the following link
www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/index.htm

Alternatively, you may contact either DeFRA on 08459 33 55 77

Or the Animal Health Officers at East Sussex County Council Trading Standards team on 01323 418238 or e-mail animal.health@eastsussex.gov.uk