On this page:
- Blue Tongue
- Avian Influenza
- Wild birds and kept birds
- Bovine TB (bTB)
- Foot and Mouth Disease
- More support
Blue Tongue
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. You must stay vigilant. You must contact your vet if you have any concerns over the health and welfare of your animals
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease which affects:
- Ruminants (such as cattle, sheep, goats, and deer).
- Camelids (such as alpacas and llamas).
Bluetongue is caused by a virus that is spread by biting midges. It does not affect people or food safety. Meat and milk are safe to eat and drink.
The first case of a new bluetongue virus serotype (BTV-3) was confirmed in England on the 10th November 2023. Further cases of old infections have been detected through surveillance in the south-east and east of England. BTV-3 was first reported in September 2023 in the Netherlands. It has since been found in several other northern European countries.
Clinical signs to look out for
BTV can cause fever, crusting and ulcers around muzzle area, swollen head, salivating and lameness.
In the most severe cases, it can cause abortions, malformations, and death in animals. Clinical signs are not always present despite infection. There is currently no authorised vaccine for BTV-3.
Controlling the spread of bluetongue
- The main control measures for bluetongue are the creation of control zones. There are movement restrictions of susceptible species within these zones.
- Keepers of ruminants and camelids can help minimise potential spread of bluetongue by checking the health of your animals. Any suspicious clinical signs must be reported.
- All livestock must be registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). You can do this online at www.gov.uk/bluetongue.
- You must register all land and buildings used to keep livestock. This includes short term lets. This is so the location of susceptible animals can be traced to help prevent and control disease.
- Animals on a bluetongue restricted premises and animals in certain disease control zones can only move with an appropriate licence.
- The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) carries out surveillance to check for disease. This may include blood sampling on holdings with susceptible animals in high-risk areas and in disease control zones.
>More information can be found at www.gov.uk/bluetongue (GOV.UK).
Avian Influenza
Also known as Bird Flu or Avian Flu. This is a disease that currently affects the health of birds across Great Britain.
As of the 4th July 2023 the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone has been lifted. However, poultry shows and gatherings are still banned.
As a poultry keeper, you must make sure you are aware of the latest measures.
Birds in this context relate to:
- Poultry;
- and other captive birds means a bird kept in captivity that is not poultry. (Includes pet birds and a bird kept for shows, races, exhibitions, competitions, breeding or for sale.)
If you suspect a case of Avian Flu, please report it via the Defra Rural Services Helpline: 03000 200 301.
There is minimal risk to humans. However, anyone coming into contact with or keeping poultry we ask that simple hygiene measures should be done:
- Wash hands and other exposed areas of the body.
This reduces the risk of transmission and mitigate any harm to those who have come into close contact with poultry.
For more details, visit: Avian influenza (bird flu) (GOV.UK).
Wild birds and kept birds
This advice from Defra, applies at all times where members of the public may come across dead birds.
Members of the public are asked to report incidents where they find:
- Five or more dead birds;
- in the same place;
- and at the same time.
Please contact the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) helpline: 03000 200 301. (This is due to the UK's programme for surveillance for avian influenza in wild birds.)
If you find less than five dead birds, including garden birds, you do not need to call Defra. You should leave the bodies alone or follow the guidelines for disposal given by Defra.
For advice for keepers of birds/animals and for members of the public, visit: Biosecurity (GOV.UK).
Bovine TB (bTB)
TB is a serious disease of warm-blooded mammals arising from infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) complex. It is part of a group of closely related bacteria that includes those that cause TB in animals and humans.
BTB is one of the most complex animal health problems currently facing the farming industry in Britain. It is a notifiable disease. If you suspect the disease is present, report it to your local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) office.
- For more about bTB, which includes Parish testing, visit: Bovine TB (GOV.UK).
- For answers about routine TB testing intervals, visit: Animal Health (GOV.UK).
Foot and Mouth Disease
Foot and Mouth Disease is an infectious disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, in particular cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and deer.
If you keep animals and suspect signs of notifiable disease, you must tell your local APHA Office straight away.
More support
Defra has a helpline for phone and email enquiries between 8am to 6pm from Monday to Friday.
- Defra Helpline
- Email: defra.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
- Phone: 03000 200 301
- Address: Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London. SW1P 3JR.
You can also contact: Environmental Health.