A new strain of bluetongue virus (BTV-3) is emerging and spreading rapidly in the Netherlands, causing concern in the UK. The new strain mimics the older type in its behavior and already has seven hundred reports of disease on Dutch farms.

The disease is transmitted through midge bites, which fortunately are becoming less frequent on farms as winter approaches. Bluetongue affects all ruminants and camelids but poses no risk to humans.

Worryingly, the current Bluetongue vaccine offers no cross-protection against the new BTV-3 strain.

Industry stakeholders from across the UK industry have been meeting to discuss the UK’s preparedness for this emerging potential disease threat.

Farmers are being urged to request pre-movement testing of animals prior to departure when purchasing animals from Europe.

All imports of live animals are subject to post-import testing with restricted movements until a negative post-import test result is confirmed. Animals testing positive will be culled or returned at the importer's expense.

BTV is a reportable disease, and keepers must report all suspicious symptoms to the Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA).

Symptoms of BTV-3 can vary across ruminants. Sheep exhibit more overt symptoms than cattle, but both can show clinical signs. Despite showing reduced clinical signs, the economic impact of the disease in cattle can be higher, and they may play a more significant role in spreading infection.

Symptoms in sheep include drooling, mouth lesions, high fever, lameness, edema (swollen heads), and sudden death. Cattle do not usually show severe symptoms but may exhibit similar clinical signs, as well as milk yield drop, teat, eye, coronary band, and nose lesions.

An NFU Scotland business guide states that: “Currently, there are no reports of the new strain in the UK. However, due to the nature of bluetongue's ability to spread via infected midges, combined with the current warm weather conditions, the risk of it reaching the UK is increasing, with the southeast coast of England being most at risk from incursion.

“While the risk of BTV-3 reaching Scotland is lower, it remains vital that keepers remain aware and vigilant, especially when buying stock from higher risk zones."