PLEASE NOTE – THESE FAQs ONLY APPLY TO CAMBRIDGESHIRE.

LATEST SITUATION 

PROTECTION ZONE EXTENDED
On Monday 28thJuly, DEFRA issued a new Bluetongue Declaratory Order (coming into force at 0.01AM 28th July 2008) extending the Protection Zone to cover Herefordshire, the unitary authority of Telford and Wrekin and the districts in Shropshire. This completes the roll-out to the counties previously in the Surveillance Zone and means that no Surveillance Zone remains in England. Please see map for further details.

VACCINE NOW AVAILABLE
Cambridgeshire livestock keepers can now obtain Bluetongue vaccine from their private vet. Most organisations involved in the livestock industry, including DEFRA and NFU, are encouraging all to vaccinate as soon as possible. Consequences of not vaccinating could result in loss or reduction in value of stock. Also, if animals become infected with this disease, keepers will have additional costs of treating animals and disposal of carcases. For further guidance please see EBLEX guidance leaflet on vaccination.

Vaccinated animals are permitted to move in to the surveillance zone or areas free from restriction 60 days after being vaccinated provided they are accompanied by a declaration signed by the owner of the animals and the vet who supplied and/or administered the vaccine. For more information please see “general licence”

Please consult the DEFRA Interactive Map BEFORE moving livestock out of Cambridgeshire


We are legally bound to publish a copy of the declaration of animal disease. Please click here to view.

If you would like to speak to an officer at Cambridgeshire Trading Standards, please contact us on: 0845 945 5206.

What is Bluetongue?
Bluetongue is notifiable animal disease. It is a virus spread by biting insects which affects all ruminants, such as cattle, sheep, goats and deer. Clinical signs can vary by species. Although symptoms are generally more severe in sheep, cattle can also show signs of disease.

How is the Bluetongue virus transmitted?
Virus transmission between animals occurs via a biting insect when a midge bites an infected animal and passes the infection to an uninfected naive animal.

Transmission of the virus during an outbreak therefore depends on continuing cycles of infection between infected animals and vector insects. However the likelihood of mechanical transmission of the virus between herds/flocks and within herds/flocks by unhygienic practices, such as the use of contaminated surgical equipment, cannot be ruled out.

Bluetongue cannot be naturally transmitted directly between animals.

Are any other animals affected?
Bluetongue affects all ruminants (cattle, goats, sheep, camels, llamas, giraffes, bison, buffalo, deer, wildebeest and antelope). There is no evidence of Bluetongue infection in any other species.

What can I do to help protect my Livestock from Bluetongue?
Defra have published leaflet Guidance on the disease vector and potential mitigation measures. This describes suggested methods of protecting livestock from Bluetongue 

What are the current rules within the Bluetongue PROTECTION ZONE?

This applies only to ruminants (Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Camelids & Deer):

• Ruminants may be moved anywhere within the Protection Zone that is not covered by the FMD Restricted Zone.
• Ruminants may be moved into the Survelliance Zone for slaughter.
• Ruminants may be moved to specifically licenced abattoirs outside the Restricted area, subject to certain conditions (see below).
• Ruminants may be moved into the Protection Zone from the Surevelliance Zone or the area outside the Restricted Area.
• Vaccinated ruminants may be moved out of the Protection Zone, subject to a number of conditions (see above).

There are no restrictions on the movement of pigs as they are not susceptible to Bluetongue.

Movement to Slaughter outside Bluetongue Protection Zone
DEFRA has issued general licences to permit movement of ruminating animals to slaughterhouses outside the Bluetongue Restricted Area, subject to stringent conditions.

In Cambridgeshire we may be contacted by:

e-mail: ts.animalhealth@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Telephone: 0845 0455206

A list of slaughterhouses approved to accept livestock can be found on the DEFRA website. DEFRA have also produced guidance on movement to slaughter and the use of insecticides.