September 24, 2007

scientists respond to news of bluetongue disease in Suffolk

The first case of bluetongue disease, a midge-borne viral infection of cattle, was reported at a farm in Suffolk, leading to restrictions on the movement of cattle in the area.

Nick Taylor, Veterinary Epidemiologist, Department of Agriculture, University of Reading, said:

“Everyone hopes this will be an isolated case caused by a few infected midges being blown over from the continent. In Northern Europe, bluetongue has spread remorselessly since its surprise appearance there in mid-2006. Early hopes that the disease would not be maintained over the winter did not materialise, and there is little that can be done to successfully control this disease, let alone eradicate it. The biggest problem, and the worst-case scenario for UK, is that the virus becomes established in the native midge population. Midges cannot be quarantined or restricted within protection zones, and there are no really practical methods to prevent livestock from being bitten by them.”

David Catlow, president of the British Veterinary Association, said:

“Bluetongue is already established in Europe and there are now real concerns that this serious disease could become prevalent in the UK. It has the potential to cause considerable animal suffering and further devastation to our livestock farming industry. Other than restricting the movement of animals there is limited scope to prevent transmission and spread of disease until an effective vaccine has been developed.”