BVA Welcomes Publication Of Bluetongue Disease Control Policy, UK

Main Category: Veterinary
Also Included In: Water - Air Quality / Agriculture;  Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 29 Aug 2007 - 3:00 PDT

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BVA President David Catlow last thursday welcomed Defra's publication of a revised Bluetongue disease control policy for the UK. "Given this year's re-emergence of Bluetongue in Northern Europe, we welcome the publication of the revised control policy" he said "particularly given that it has been produced by government and industry working in partnership.

"The current threat to UK livestock is very real and it is important that rigorous measures to keep disease out of the UK are maintained and that the industry remains vigilant. Should Bluetongue arrive the control policy gives us an agreed strategy to contain the disease, however if it becomes widespread then we will have to focus on reducing the impact of the disease whilst living with it."

1. Defra press release on the revised Bluetongue disease control policy for the UK.

2. The 25 August issue of The Veterinary Record will discuss Bluetongue in its editorial and carry a clinical paper entitled 'Clinical signs and pathology shown by British sheep and cattle infected with bluetongue virus serotype 8 derived from the 2006 outbreak in northern Europe'. The June issue of In Practice carried a practical guide to Bluetongue in sheep and cattle (read an abstract here).

3. A Bluetongue briefing is available for members only (last updated in May 2007).

4. In July three BVA specialist divisions warned UK livestock importers about the Bluetongue infection risk

http://www.bva.co.uk