Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease

How to control the disease

You can help to prevent the disease by:

• vaccinating your animals with a suitable authorised vaccine (Note: BTV serotype 3 vaccines cannot currently be used in Scotland – see further information about BTV-3 vaccination in England)
• responsibly sourcing livestock
• practising good biosecurity on your premises
• remaining vigilant

If you import animals, speak to your vet before you decide to import them. Livestock keepers in high-risk counties in England can get free bluetongue testing for their animals – you may wish to consider this when moving animals to Scotland from high-risk counties in England. However, animals in disease control zones in England cannot move to Scotland.

If bluetongue is confirmed and found to be circulating, APHA will place movement restrictions in zones around the infected premises. Further details on actions taken in the event of an outbreak of bluetongue are described in the contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases and the GB Bluetongue Virus Disease Control Strategy.

Biosecurity

Biosecurity is about being aware of the ways disease can spread and taking every practical measure to minimise the risk of disease spreading. The advice details practical things you can do on your farm to help prevent the introduction and spread of bluetongue to and from your animals.

BTV-3 Vaccination

Vaccination for other bluetongue virus serotypes

Vaccination is the best way to protect animals from bluetongue virus serotypes 1, 2, 4 and 8. You should discuss with your vet whether vaccination would benefit your business.  BTV serotype 3 vaccines cannot currently be used in Scotland – see further information about BTV-3 vaccination in England).

You need to comply with the requirements of the declaration if you wish to vaccinate animals located outside a restricted zone for bluetongue.

For BTV-1, 2, 4 and 8 vaccines, it can take up to six weeks for your animals to be fully immune, as your animals will require a period of time for immunity to develop following vaccination and may require two doses of the vaccine, three weeks apart.

Vets can apply to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for a Special Import Certificate (SIC).

The certificate allows keepers to import safe and effective bluetongue vaccine directly from the EU to vaccinate their stock.