London, England – A new strain of a potentially devastating animal disease is on the verge of spreading across England, experts have cautioned. The bluetongue virus, carried by infected midges blown over from northern Europe, poses a significant risk to livestock farmers in the region.
According to government officials, there is a high likelihood that the bluetongue virus will continue to spread, with 126 cases reported on cattle and sheep farms in England. While the virus does not impact human health or food safety, it poses a significant threat to livestock welfare.
Farmers are urging the swift development of a vaccine to combat the new strain. In the Netherlands, where over 6,000 cases have been reported, an emergency-approved vaccine is already in use. However, in the UK, any vaccine must undergo full market authorization before being made available to the public.
The bluetongue virus can result in a significant loss of around 30% of a sheep herd, while cattle are less affected by the virus. Symptoms include tongue and mucous membrane lesions, swallowing difficulties, lameness, and stiffness, leading to decreased milk production and overall animal welfare.
Roger Dunn, a farmer in Kent with 400 cattle and 1,200 sheep, experienced an outbreak of bluetongue on his farm despite existing movement restrictions in place. While the spread was contained by culling infected cattle, Dunn acknowledges that the impact could have been far more severe.
Experts from The Pirbright Institute are currently researching the transmission of the virus by culicoides midges. By studying different types of midges, researchers hope to understand why some carry the virus while others do not, providing valuable insights for controlling the spread of the disease.