The hot weather this summer has had a significant impact on midge populations in the UK. It speeds up their lifecycle, meaning it takes less time for larvae to mature. The biggest impact of this is there have been outbreaks of Bluetongue and all of England is now in a Restricted Zone. The Government is acting to help farmers to protect animal health in these challenging conditions. Let’s have a look.

The issue

Bluetongue is an infectious viral disease that affects all kinds of ruminants, including sheep, cattle, goats, and llamas. It can cause significant damage, including ulcers, swelling, fever, and lethargy. It gets its name from the fact it can cause the tongue of animals to turn blue because of the swelling and lack of oxygen. The impact on animals can be severe, causing them to stop eating, lose weight, and even leading to death in the most severe cases.

The big problem here is the virus mainly spreads through midges. If they feed on the blood of an animal with Bluetongue, they can pass it on to other animals very quickly. So, with more midges this summer, the disease has spread quicker than usual. This puts a lot of pressure on farmers.

What to do?

There has been a swift response to the problem, including the introduction of restrictions on moving animals. Significantly, there has been a change in reporting measures in England. It’s important to understand what these mean and the benefits for animal health.

The most critical change to be aware of is vets in England can now diagnose Bluetongue when there are clear signs. This means there is no need to wait for the results of a blood test with straightforward cases. It means farmers can act faster to begin treating animals. In cases where a vet can’t rule out other diseases, the typical reporting measures apply, requiring a blood test.

So, the best thing to do if you feel animals have Bluetongue is to speak to a vet. Luckily, the government is offering funding for visits thanks to the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway. It’s quick and easy to apply. A vet visit will check animals for disease and provide support.

The advice is the best way to protect animals is to get vaccinations. Critically, it isn’t too late to vaccinate this year. Additionally, farmers should prepare for next year as there is a strong chance the disease could overwinter. There has been a significant increase in demand for vaccines in response to the outbreak, but the government is working to improve supply.

In addition, farmers should manage animals carefully to protect them. Regular checks for signs of Bluetongue are important. While it is tricky, try to reduce exposure to midges (especially at peak times of the day). Plus, be proactive with hygiene and biosecurity.

Make animal health the priority

While Bluetongue does not pose a risk to humans, it can have a massive impact. Critically it can affect food supplies as well as products like wool. The affect on farmers can be huge too, impacting their livelihoods. Therefore, it is important to take action.

JS Hubbuck Ltd can provide a number of products and services if you want to improve animal health on farms. This includes feeds, wormer and more. We even have connections to help create bespoke solutions for housing and feeding. So, speak to us if you need anything.