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To read a full updated briefing - The threat of Bluetongue Disease by Peter Green Honorary Veterinary Adviser, The British Deer Society click HERE

Update as at 06/02/08

As at 16:00 on 1 February 2008 there were 70 confirmed premises affected by Bluetongue. The most recent cases were found as a result of pre-movement testing currently required in the vector-free period. Through the course of surveillance work and pre-movement testing it is possible that other new cases will be identified during the vector free season.

To check the declaration zones follow this link: Declaration of a Protection Zone and Surveillance Zone [PDF] (385 KB)

Update as at 07/01/08

To check the latest developments follow this link to the Defra website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/index.htm

Update as at 28 November 2007

There have been no further updates from Defra. With the recent cold weather new cases are thought to be unlikely.

Update as at 14.00 09/11/07

On 1 November Defra announced it is to issue a tender for a Bluetongue vaccine bank. No suitable vaccine is currently available for the strain of Bluetongue circulating in England (serotype 8). However several companies have vaccines in development and these are expected to be available from next summer. Discussions about this are currently underway with the industry.

Update as at 0845 25 October 2007

Defra have confirmed a further extension of the Bluetongue Control Zone in Kent and East Sussex, following a new case of Bluetongue in Sevenoaks.

As a result, the Control Zone covering parts of Essex and East Anglia will now merge with the Control Zone in Kent and East Sussex to become one single Control Zone. The Protection Zone has also been extended slightly in the South West of England. The Control Zone in the Peterborough area remains unchanged.

Check if you are affected

Update as at 08.45 24 October 2007

Defra has confirmed the extension of the Bluetongue Control Zones following new cases of Bluetongue in East Sussex and Essex.

The boundary of the Kent/East Sussex Control Zone has been extended into Wealden District, and the East Anglia Control Zone now moves slightly south westwards into London. The Control Zone in the Peterborough area and the Protection Zone remain unchanged.

Update as at 08.15 19 October 2007

Bluetongue Spreads. Following a further outbreak Defra have amended the Bluetongue Protection and Control zones. See revised map link above.

Update as at 08.00 15 October 2007

It has been confirmed following reports in the press that Blue tongue has now been found in sheep within the existing Control area. The disease has proven to cause up to 50% mortality in sheep. No further announcements on changes to the existing control and protection zones has been announced beyond those details below.

Update as at 12.00 11 Oct 2007

Defra yesterday (10th October) announced that the existing Bluetongue Control and Protection Zones are being extended following confirmation of further cases of Bluetongue in Essex.

The UK Bluetongue Control Strategy and EU legislation require that the zones to be extended due to the proximity of these cases to the boundary of the existing Control Zone.

For a fully updated map click here - Map of Great Britain with Foot and Mouth Risk Areas and Bluetongue Control and Protection Zones. [PDF] (905 KB)

Information updated 09.45 4th October 2007

From 00.01 hours on 30 September a Bluetongue Control Zone and a Bluetongue Protection Zone came into effect. The Declaration includes both a map, and the precise definition of the zone boundaries. An updated map of Great Britain with Foot and Mouth Risk Areas and Bluetongue Control and Protection Zones together with updates to the online Interactive map, is expected to be available late on 1 October but in the meantime the existing maps should continue to provide useful general information.

Information update 16.00 28th September 2007

The BBC are reporting that the incidence of Blue Tongue has been officially described as an outbreak and that the virus is circulating in the cattle in the area. There may be changes to the movement restrictions in the area. A further update will be completed as soon as information has been circulated by Defra.

Information update as at 09.15 28th September 2007

Defra has received positive test results for Bluetongue for a fifth animal on a fourth premises near Burstall, Suffolk. This animal will be culled.

Defra has sent this information to the OIE, the World Organisation for Animal Health.

Epidemiological investigations are continuing to establish whether the disease is circulating between animals and midges in the UK.

Discussions with stakeholders are continuing about the implications should Bluetongue be confirmed by the Chief Veterinary Officer. Any action will be in line with the UK Bluetongue Control Strategy, published in August, but will also take account of the current FMD restrictions.

Debby Reynolds, Chief Veterinary Officer said:

"Obviously, we must face the very real risk that Bluetongue could already be actively circulating in this country. It will be some time before we have the scientific evidence to confirm whether or not this is the case. Meanwhile as soon as the first Bluetongue case was confirmed on Saturday, we have taken all the necessary measures on a precautionary basis. While our investigations continue it remains essential for animal keepers to remain vigilant for disease and report any suspicions immediately. Livestock owners should examine their animals twice a day."

Information Update as at 12.30 27th September 2007

Defra has also today received positive test results for Bluetongue for a fourth animal on a third premises near Ipswich, Suffolk. This animal will be culled.

Movement

Movement map of effected areas -

Map of the zones and areas [PDF] (845 KB)
Interactive map - Search by postcode to see if you are in the zones.

Bluetongue Temporary Control Area

The following ruminant movements out of this area (except Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex) will be permitted:
- Direct moves to slaughter (both within and outside the risk area);
- Direct moves to slaughter via collection centres and dedicated slaughter sales (both within and outside the risk area);
Ruminants will not be permitted to move out of the Bluetongue Temporary Control Area for purposes other than slaughter;
Farm to farm movements of ruminants will be permitted under strict conditions and subject to high levels of biosecurity within the area only.
Pig movements (within established pyramids only) will be permitted to move within and out of the area to other areas, subject to licence conditions.

Norfolk / Suffolk Bluetongue Area

Pig movements (within established pyramids only) will be permitted to move within out of this areas to any area, subject to licence conditions.
Farm to Farm ruminant movements are prohibited.
Ruminants may not be moved out of this area into any other area, for any purpose. other than for direct movements to slaughter in Essex.
Calving cows and other welfare moves may take place up to 3km within the same premises.
Direct moves to slaughter may only take place in Norfolk and Suffolk and Essex. Moves must not place after one hour before sunset.
Collection centres and dedicated slaughter sales may not take place in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Essex:

Essex is now subject to two levels of controls: FMD Risk and requirements for Norfolk and Suffolk:

Ruminants may not be moved out of Essex into any other area for any purpose, except for direct moves to slaughter in Norfolk and Suffolk (where moves must not place after one hour before sunset).
Farm to Farm movements are prohibited.
Calving cows and other welfare moves may take place up to 3km within the same premises.
Collection centres and dedicated slaughter sales may not take place in Essex.
Pigs may only move within established "pyramids" between specific units (up to 50km or 100km) within the FMD risk area only

Update 16:30 25th September 2007:

Defra has confirmed that a third animal has tested positive for Bluetongue. This is on a premises near Lowestoft.

In the light of this, it has been agreed that it would not be appropriate to allow farm to farm movements in the area surrounding the premises from 3.30pm today. This area is Norfolk and Suffolk.

Essex is also considered to be at risk of Bluetongue, but as it is also in the Foot and Mouth Disease Risk Area, farm-to-farm movements would not be permitted in any case.

At this stage, there is not sufficient evidence to confirm an active outbreak of Bluetongue by the internationally-recognised definition. It cannot yet be demonstrated that the disease is circulating or alternatively is the result of a single incursion of infected midges from abroad.

Update 14.00 25th September 2007:

Defra has identified, from 3.30pm Tuesday 25 September, a Bluetongue Temporary Area while surveillance is carried out to determine whether the virus is circulating. This area encompasses Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire, and covers those additional areas which could be included in any further movement controls should an outbreak of Bluetongue be confirmed.

Bluetongue Temporary Area: The same movements as in the FMD Risk Zone will apply For further information and map: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/movements/index.htm

DEFRA Bluetongue update 24th September : second cow positive for Bluetongue in Suffolk

A second cow has tested positive for Bluetongue on the same farm in Baylham, Suffolk, where the disease was first discovered on 22 September. This is not sufficient evidence to confirm an outbreak of Bluetongue as it cannot yet be demonstrated that the disease is circulating between the local animal and midge populations.

The cow was culled today as it may have posed a threat to the other animals on the premises. This is because it could have potentially provided a source of infection for the local midge population. We continue to test the remaining animals on the premises and surrounding area.

It remains essential for animal keepers to practice the highest standards of biosecurity, remain vigilant for disease and report any suspicions immediately. Livestock owners should examine their livestock twice a day