The Other Virus

Outbreaks of Bluetongue have been confirmed again this year in Germany, Belgium, France, The Netherlands and Luxembourg. Tests indicate that it the serotype 8 strain of the virus that was found last year. The reality is that this virus is now firmly established on the other side of the Channel and it can only be a matter of time before it turns up here. The virus is spread between animals by a biting midge called culicoides. Horse owners will be familiar with these insects as the cause sweet itch thought the summer months.

Insect Vector

Midge numbers build up during the summer and reach a peak in the autumn. The number of farms affected by Bluetongue has a direct relationship to the midge population.

Bluetongue is a difficult disease to spot. It is known to affect all ruminants, it is sheep that usually show the most symptoms. These include discharges from the eye and nose, ulceration in the mouth and swelling of the head and neck. They may also have inflammation of their feet where the hoof meets the skin and show a severe lameness. Other individuals have severe respiratory signs and the mortality rate in sheep can be as high as 70%.

Difficult to Recognise

Cattle can sometimes show few or no clinical signs, they act as a reservoir of infection and can only be diagnosed after laboratory tests have been carried out.

Scientists at Pirbright recently infected a small group of sheep and cattle with the Serotype active in Europe and reported their daily findings. Many of their observations were subtle changes that they said were unlikely to be spotted under farming conditions. They estimate that if the disease does come here it is likely to be present for ten weeks or more before it is detected.

Control Measures

If it does come here the control measures will be difficult to live with. Once diagnosed a protection zone of at least 100km will be established. There is no slaughter policy for affected animals, the aim is to detect the infected midges and not allow any animal movements out of the infected areas. It will be possible to move stock within the protection zones. It has been found that it is not practical to house farm stock in the evenings and early mornings when midges are active. It is thought to be helpful to use fly repellents on sheep and cattle, but these cannot be relied upon to stop the spread of infection, it might help to limit the numbers of animals infected.

I do not think we are prepared for Bluetongue, we are vulnerable because of the numbers of sheep there are here and the high number of animal movements.

Foot and Mouth Disease

Things are changing rapidly as far as the lifting of the restrictions after our unfortunate re aquaintance with Foot and Mouth Disease. Livestock Markets are due to start trading normally again this week without the restrictions that animals could not return home if trade was poor. I realise that every one has been affected by the restrictions in some way, some more seriously than others. Some of the movement restrictions have been difficult to understand and have caused all sorts of problems when it seemed the infection was so far away. You farmers should be proud that everybody has obeyed the rules and been able to cope with the consequences of the restrictions. Points to remember are that under the new General Licence any movements onto your premises have started a twenty day stand still of movements from your holding (except any stock going for slaughter). Also DEFRA are adamant that the TB rules still apply and they will show no discretion about pre movement testing calves that are now over 42 days of age because they have been held up on farms during the stand still.

Fog Fever Month

September is the month when we see adult suckler cows with Fog Fever. This is a severe allergic disease that occurs when usually Hereford or Hereford Cross cows move onto better pasture. This risk is heightened because some animals have been stuck on pastures because of the movement restrictions and when they do move the grazing may be better than you had planned. Affected cows have a reaction in their lungs as fluid accumulates there. The disease is treatable in the early stages, although it is difficult to stop severely affected cows aborting if they are pregnant. Take care to observe cattle twice a day if they have moved onto better pasture at this time of the year and to make sure you get them up to see if there are early signs of the problem.

The Rabies Virus

Did you know that there is a mammal that carries Rabies that lives in the UK? It has been known that Daubentan’s Bats are prone to carry Rabies. Until now the virus has been isolated from bats in the North East and in the Sussex and Oxfordshire. It is not easy to recognise the different species of bat. Unless you are an expert it is better to assume that all bats are potentially infected. This summer a grounded bat that was taken to a wild life rescue centre in Shropshire was found to be carrying the virus.

This is what a Daubenton’s Bat looks like.

 Two people have been bitten by this animal and are undergoing treatment. It is unusual to find bats on the ground unless they have been injured by a predator or they are diseased. They do not usually collide with things unless there is something wrong with them. If you find a bat on the ground it is better to leave it alone, or put it out of harms way. Do not try to pick them up unless you have thick gloves, they can be very aggressive. The best way to move them is to but a jar over the bat on the ground and to slide a piece of card under the animal. If any body has been bitten however small the wound is you must preserve the bat so that it can be tested for Rabies. Bats may be small but they are able to transmit this nasty disease to people and it is of concern that animals in Shropshire are known to be infected.

New Nurse

There is a new face at the Malthouse. Katie Mills is our new nurse and is quickly learning about animals large and small. Katie comes from the Game Farm in Habberley and some of you may have met her in the past. Do not be surprised if you hear a new voice on the end of the phone.

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