The Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) reports that a case of bluetongue serotype 12 (BTV-12) has been confirmed in a single cow in the restricted zone near Ashford, Kent.
The case was detected as part of the annual bluetongue surveillance. This is the first time the serotype has been detected in the UK.
No additional zones are currently planned but the restricted zone will remain in place. Further testing and epidemiological investigations will be undertaken.
Seasonally vector low period
The UK is in a seasonally vector low period. This means the risk of transmission of bluetongue is now very low. The APHA no longer requires:
- post-movement testing for animals moved out of the zone – provided they have a valid negative pre-movement test result
- vector control including the use of insecticide
- animals originating from the restricted zone to be slaughtered at a designated slaughterhouse
Livestock keepers must still:
- have a licence to move animals or germinal product out of a restricted zone
- arrange for a pre-movement test for all animals moving out of the restricted zone unless they are moving direct to slaughter or via a dedicated slaughter market
- comply with any post-movement testing requirements set out in your licence or restriction notice if you moved animals out of the restricted zone on or before 20 January 2025
- apply for a licence to freeze germinal products within the restricted zone
Picture caption: stock image
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