Bluetongue disease new threat to UK farming
Sunday, 23 Sep 2007 19:48
First-ever case of bluetongue in Britain found in cow in Ipswich, Suffolk
The government is continuing to investigate the first-ever case of bluetongue disease in the UK, discovered in a cow in Suffolk yesterday.
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said last night it would cull the cow at a rare breeds farm near Ipswich but has insisted the case does not yet constitute an outbreak.
Transmitted by insects, the virus affects all ruminants including goats, deer and cattle and is accompanied by symptoms of fever, excessive salivation and cyanosis of the tongue and lips.
"Bluetongue is a very different infection to foot and mouth disease and the strategy to control it is therefore also different. This is not a confirmed outbreak unless further investigation demonstrates that disease is circulating," a statement on the Defra website said.
"The premises where bluetongue has been found is under restrictions. The one infected animal will be culled and epidemiological investigations are being carried out to assess the situation."
David Catlow, president of the British Veterinary Association, said this morning that bluetongue presents a major threat because "there are no real control mechanisms for it".
"Because there is no known way of protecting ourselves… potentially another devastating disease for UK agriculture," he told BBC News 24.
He explained that the disease has become especially damaging in northern Europe but had previously not affected UK stocks because of the protection of the Channel and North Sea.
"This is very, very concerning in the longer term about how this spreads. It's very difficult to protect yourself," Mr Catlow added.