Lastly, farmers are asked to consider pre-vaccinating their flock or herd against the relevant strains of
bluetongue before introducing new animals to their holding.
The nation's three chief veterinary officers said: "
Bluetongue does not pose a threat to human health or food safety, but the disease can have a serious impact on farming productivity by causing infertility in sheep, and reduced milk yields in dairy cattle.
Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Christianne Glossop said: "Following the identification of
bluetongue virus in imported cattle I'd like to remind Welsh farmers to be vigilant for signs of the disease.
Bluetongue is a viral infection of both domestic and wild ruminants transmitted by Culicoides spp.
The epidemiology of
bluetongue. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis.
Two million additional doses of the
Bluetongue serotype 8 (BTV- 8) vaccine have been delivered.
Britain's first case of
bluetongue was found on a farm in Ipswich in September.
All imports of susceptible animals from restricted areas in EU member states affected by
Bluetongue are currently banned.
Bluetongue disease was discovered in South Africa, but has spread to several other countries.
Farmers across Wales were urged to remain vigilant last night as Prime Minister Gordon Brown revealed 11 cases of
bluetongue disease in England.
FARMERS affected by the
bluetongue outbreak will receive help - financial or otherwise - from the Government, Gordon Brown indicated yesterday.
A THIRD cow yesterday tested positive for
bluetongue in the UK.
