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Despite the miserable weather, spring isn't too far away hopefully bringing warmer, drier weather. Unfortunately that does mean parasite season will be upon us and it's worth planning ahead for the upcoming risks - particularly Bluetongue virus.

Background

Bluetongue virus is spread by tiny blood-feeding midges, and can infect various domestic ruminants from cattle, sheep, goats through to deer and buffalo. Some bluetongue virus strains can be transferred from mother to foetus during pregnancy and can be spread by needles at injection.BTV-3 (Bluetongue virus strain 3) has been found inthe UK since August 2024 and has steadily made its way across the UK, with 196 confirmed cases (viaPCR testing carried out by APHA, as of 21st Jan2025, in GB) & evidence of BTV-3 circulating within the local midge populations in the control zone. Previously a different strain, BTV-8 (strain 8) has caused outbreaks in England but the current strain appears more virulent based on experiences in Europe last year.

Disease

Bluetongue virus is a notifiable disease and so any suspect cases must be reported via the DEFRA rural helpline 03000 200 301 (in England). It can present similar to 'Foot and mouth' disease.