UPDATE 8 Dec 2023: 2 more cases of bluetongue reported to APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) at a farm near Cantley Norfolk. An animal movement control zone has been put in place. Scroll down for info about the disease.
The animal control zone can be viewed on the map.
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| APHA map - bluetongue |
On 26 Nov 2023, a total of 5 cases of Blue Tongue in cattle was confirmed at farms near Canterbury in Kent . Animals found with the disease are culled. A 10km control zone (for the movement of animals) is in place . You can view an interactive map on the APHA site.
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| Blue Tongue APHA map |
Blue Tongue is a viral disease which can affect all ruminants. This means that Cows, sheep, goats, and deer which are all ruminants CAN become infected. Pigs, poultry, horses, cats, dogs and humans are NOT ruminant animals and so cannot get the disease. Ruminants have a four compartment stomach system to cope with tough fibrous plants and they rechew their food.
Blue Tongue is a notifiable disease in the UK meaning that there is a legal obligation to report it to APHA (Animal & Plant Health Agency) even if it is only suspected to have been found. Call
- 03000 200 301 if you’re in England
- 03003 038 268 if you’re in Wales
How Blue Tongue is spread
Biting midges called Cullicoides spread Blue Tongue. They are 1-3mm long and usually have light &dark patterned wings. They suck up the blood of an infected animal when they bite it, and the virus is transmitted when they bite the next animal. Midges are mainly active April to November and prefer areas with stagnant water and no wind. Midges can be blown over to UK from Europe. Current reports on APHA website say there is no evidence of circulating Blue Tongue virus in the midge population.
How to spot Blue Tongue
sheep - ulcers or sores in the mouth and nose, discharge from eyes or nose and drooling from mouth, swelling of the lips, tongue, head and neck and the coronary band (where the skin of the leg meets the horn of the foot)
Cattle - lethargy, loss of appetite, redness of the mouth, eyes, nose, reddening of the skin above the hoof, nasal discharge, fever, reddening teats, milk drop.
Farmers weekly magazine 27 Nov 2023 carries a report about the disease.
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| Farmere Weekly 27 Nov 2023 |