Bluetongue fears voiced

RE-EMERGENCE of the bluetongue virus in northern Europe could increase the risk that it could spread to the UK this year, the Institute of Animal Health has warned.

The German National Reference Laboratory for Bluetongue has reported that the virus has re-emerged on the German cattle farm that tested positive last year, triggering fears that the virus could have survived through the winter.

The German veterinary authorities had placed bluetongue-free cattle among some herds that had the disease last year. Laboratory analysis of samples collected over the last few months have led scientists to conclude the virus spread to a previously virus-free animal during April.

Prof Peter Mertens, head of the Arbovirus Research Group at the IAH, said the UK was most at risk when there were easterly winds that could blow infected midges from continental Europe to the south-eastern counties.

John Gloster of the Met Office, seconded to the IAH, said the risk of infected midges being carried to the UK was currently minimal, but the risk would increase if outbreaks of the virus were to be reported near the west coast of mainland Europe.

He said a close watch was being kept on both the disease situation and meterology and Defra was being updated daily.

The disease, which first occurred in northern Europe last summer, can infect all ruminants, with cattle more susceptible than sheep