The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) along with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is urging farmers to be vigilant to ensure the bluetongue virus does not enter this country.
Bluetongue is a viral disease which affects ruminants (such as cattle, sheep, goats, and deer) and camelids (such as llamas and alpacas).
Although Ireland is currently free of bluetongue, it is present in many European countries.
According to the DAFM, an outbreak in Ireland would pose a serious threat to the livestock industry here.
The virus is spread by midges which are most active from April to November, therefore, increased vigilance is essential at this time of the year.
What is bluetongue?
Bluetongue is caused by the Bluetongue Virus (BTV) which has 27 known different serotypes several of which are circulating in Europe.
The disease does not affect humans or pose a risk to food safety.
BTV is primarily spread by midges feeding off the blood of an infected animal and then transferring the virus to another animal by biting them.
The Culicoides species of midges capable of spreading the virus is found in Ireland. Wind dispersal of infected midges can potentially spread the disease over long distances.
Weather conditions occasionally favour the wind-borne distribution of midges from continental Europe to Ireland.
The virus can also be spread through biological products such as blood, or germinal products such as semen or embryos.
Infected pregnant animals can pass the virus to their offspring in the womb; these animals are a particularly high-risk group for introducing the virus into Ireland.
What are the symptoms?
Susceptible species display clinical signs of the disease to varying degrees, which can range from inapparent to severe.
Clinical signs in sheep are often severe. Outbreaks in previously unaffected countries have resulted in mortality rates as high as 70% in affected sheep.
Infected cattle and goats tend to show less severe clinical signs and can often carry the disease without showing any signs of illness.
Infected animals that do not show obvious disease can act as hidden carriers of the virus causing further spread of the virus.
Clinical signs vary from animal to animal and may include:
- Swelling of the head;
- Respiratory distress;
- Drooling;
- Reddening of tissue surrounding the eyes;#
- Sores and crusts on the face, mouth and teats;
- Discharge from the eyes and nose;
- Loss of appetite;
- Drop in milk yield;
- Abortion.
How to keep bluetongue out of Ireland
The importation of an asymptomatic infected animal represents the most significant risk factor for the introduction of BTV into Ireland, according to the DAFM.
Animals originating from bluetongue affected areas are vaccinated against the disease. However, no vaccine is 100% effective for all animals. Therefore, it is important that risk mitigating actions are taken to prevent an outbreak of bluetongue in Ireland.
All bluetongue susceptible animals imported from mainland Europe, must be tested for the disease following their arrival to Ireland.
This testing is carried out by the DAFM, which it said is for the protection of the national herd and flock.
Questions to ask ahead of importing livestock
- Is import of the animals really necessary?
It may be possible for the genetic change or gain that you are looking for to be obtained locally or in a bluetongue–free country.
If the import is necessary, then every effort should be made to only import susceptible animals during the lower risk season for midge activity (December to March).
If an outbreak of bluetongue were to occur in Ireland during the midge season, control and eradication of the disease could be more difficult than during the lower risk season for midge activity.
- Are the animals pregnant?
Infected pregnant animals can pass the virus to their unborn offspring in the womb. Presence of the virus may not be detected until the offspring is born.
These animals pose an even higher risk than non-pregnant animals of inadvertently introducing BTV into the country.
If the import is necessary, consider breeding the animal in Ireland after importation.
- Am I buying the animals from a reputable source?
Consult with your private veterinary practitioner before purchasing animals in other countries for advice on pre-import tests to prevent introduction of diseases into your herd, flock or country.
Obtain proof of vaccination and request pre-export test results for any relevant diseases before you import.
Contact your local regional veterinary office (RVO) for advice on import certification requirements. Ensure that you have adequate facilities on your farm to isolate and house the animals once they arrive.
- What should I do when the animals arrive in Ireland?
Isolate the imported animals indoors in a clean shed away from the rest of the herd or flock.
Check that the animals satisfy identification and certification requirements and that they appear healthy.
Ensure that they have access to clean dry bedding, feed and water. Contact your vet without delay if any animals appear unwell.
Contact your local RVO immediately once the animals arrive to arrange the post-import checks for diseases. Early detection of BTV is of key importance in controlling any potential outbreak.
What do do if you suspect bluetongue
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease, which means that there is a legal obligation for any suspect case to be reported to the DAFM.
If you suspect the presence of bluetongue on your holding, contact your local RVO without delay (during office hours) or the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01-492-8026 (outside office hours).
An outbreak of bluetongue in Ireland would result in:
- The establishment of a disease control zone of 150km radius being introduced with movement and export restrictions applied to animals originating from within these zones;
- The loss of our bluetongue-free status could also impact our ability to trade with countries outside of the EU;
- Mandatory vaccination of animals against bluetongue, which is not carried out in Ireland at present, may need to be introduced during an outbreak.
Therefore, it is important that anyone who intends to import animals susceptible to bluetongue considers and implements preventative measures to help keep Ireland free of the disease, the DAFM has warned.