A sheep looking a bit under the weather.
Drooling is a sign of bluetongue.

Breaking news this evening that the first ever UK case of Bluetongue disease has been detected at a farm near Ipswich in Suffolk. The disease, caused by a virus transmitted by midges, naturally infects wild and domestic ruminants such as sheep, goats, cattle and deer. Sheep are most severely affected by bluetongue and cattle, although infected more frequently than sheep, quite often don't display any clinical signs. The disease poses no risk to humans and can not be transmitted naturally from animal to animal.

The outbreak in Suffolk follows an earlier outbreak in Northern European countries including Belgium, Luxemburg, parts of Western Germany and North Eastern France. The European BTV-8 strain of virus, first identified in 2006, is unusual in that it results in clinical signs in cattle and has resulted in a large number of deaths. Since the 2006 outbreak DEFRA has been concerned that bluetongue could spread to the UK via cattle imports or by wind blown midges.

Swelling and ulceration of the mouth
is another tell tale sign.

Clinical signs of bluetongue in sheep:

• Eye and nasal discharges.
• Drooling as a result of ulceration in the mouth.
• High body temperature.
• Swelling of the mouth, head and neck.
• Lameness and muscle wasting of the limbs.
• Haemorrhages of the skin.
• Respiratory problems.
• Fever.
• Tiredness.
• On rare occasions a blue tongue.

Clinical signs of bluetongue in cattle:

• Nasal discharge.
• Swelling of the head and neck.
• Conjunctivitis.
• Swelling and ulceration of the mouth.
• Swollen teats.
• Tiredness.
• Drooling.
• Fever.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease - suspected cases of the disease must be reported to DEFRA (telephone 08459 335577).

A spokesman for DEFRA confirmed that: "The premises where Bluetongue has been found is under restrictions. The one infected animal will be culled and epidemiological investigations are being carried out to assess the situation. This is the first time Bluetongue virus has been recorded in the UK." The outbreak comes at a bad time for the government, when the country is still facing regular foot and mouth outbreaks in Surrey.

Article sourced from the DEFRA bluetongue factsheet.

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