Bluetongue virus cases rise to nearly 600 in the UK

Bluetongue virus cases have risen to 593 in the United Kingdom during the current season, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The outbreak involves serotype 3 (BTV-3), with 556 cases recorded in England, 29 in Wales, and 8 in Scotland.

In Scotland, a temporary control zone has been established in south-west Scotland as a precautionary measure following detections in Dumfries and Galloway. This zone restricts the movement of cattle, sheep, and other susceptible ruminants in or out of the area without a license.

The disease, which is spread by biting midges, affects ruminant livestock such as sheep and cattle but does not impact humans or food safety. While the risk of incursion is considered medium, the risk of airborne transmission is low. Farmers have called for increased stocks of the bluetongue vaccine and for the government to provide subsidized vaccines to mitigate the impact on livestock.