Increased need to vaccinate against Blue tongue

Derek Armstrong, EBLEX chief veterinary scientist, said there had been a significant worsening of the blue tongue situation on mainland Europe over the past year.

The virus spread to more than 26,000 farms in France and almost 2,500 new cases were reported in Germany.

At the same type a different serotype BTV-1 reached Northern France and two further types - BTV-6 and 11 - have recently been identified in Holland and Belgium.

Mr Armstrong said: "Under these circumstances, the risk of re-introduction from the Continent - both via airborne midges and in imported stock - remains very high and with it the threat to cattle and sheep producers across the country."

Some imported animals had already tested positive for BTV-8 and the first UK cases of BTV-1 were detected in a batch of imported cattle in November.

"With French researchers reporting mortality rates of up to 25pc in sheep, 16pc in dairy cows and 13pc in beef suckler herds from BTV-8, serious direct effects on short term business profitability and still to be quantified long term impacts through decreased fertility, it is clearly critical the livestock industry does everything possible to prevent active blue tongue virus circulation in this country."

Defra is underwriting some 12m doses of the existing BTV-8 vaccine for use in 2009, with further supplies of all three authorised vaccines available from manufacturers.

It is also encouraging developers and manufacturers to submit provisional marketing authorisations for vaccines against BTV-1 should they be needed.

Good initial uptake of blue tongue vaccination in the priority areas of the country and limited long distance midge movement over the dull, wet summer served to prevent BTV-8 from becoming established in England and Wales last year. As a result, confirmed infections were confined to fewer than 150 premises.

But EBLEX strongly advises cattle and sheep producers across the country to maintain the highest possible levels of BTV-8 vaccination throughout 2009.

Mr Armstrong said animals vaccinated in 2008 will need a booster jab this season, and urged initial vaccination before midges become active this spring.

Practical advice on vaccination is available at www.eblex.org.uk/bluetongue ends.