Archive of 2007 Foot and Mouth / Bluetongue

Below are all the announcements from the 2007 outbreak.

21 Jan 2008 22:08

Bulletin 14 - Defra Information Line

Dear Member

Animal Health, an executive agency of Defra, has launched a recorded information line for the farming community to use in disease outbreaks.

The information line allows farmers, livestock keepers, vets and other
stakeholders to stay up-to-date with important news and information,
initially about Foot and Mouth Disease and Bluetongue, from the end of a
phone.

This new communication channel allows those without regular access to the
internet to listen to the latest news by simply dialling 0844 884 4600
instead. The information line will be updated regularly. Calls costs 5p
a minute (4.2p plus VAT).

14 Oct 2007 11:30

Bulletin 13

Dear Member

Information issued by BAS/BLS Welfare Health and Committee - 28 September 2007

Movement of llamas, alpacas and all other camelids

There are THREE zones in place at this time:

· Risk Zone

· Low Risk Zone

· Bluetongue Zone.

The Risk and Low Risk Zones are in relation to Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

The Bluetongue Zone is, as it says, for the control of Bluetongue.

The Bluetongue Zone does overlap into the Risk and Low Risk Zones thus making it more complicated!!

Risk Zone for FMD

As far as camelids are concerned, the Risk Zone remains a total shutdown zone. Defra and Animal Health, and the enforcing agency Trading Standards, will rigorously enforce the no-movement of susceptible animals in this area. The counties covered by this are: Essex, Kent, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Greater London.

Low Risk Zone for FMD

The Low Risk Zone is a bit more relaxed; you can undertake certain movements subject to certain conditions being met first. It covers the rest of Britain, with the exception of the Risk Zone and the Bluetongue Zone.

You will need to print off, fill in and keep for 6 months the self-issuing licence - link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/pdf/gl-movement-450-270907.pdf. You will need to fill this in and have it signed by both parties - one for the premises of departure, and one for the premises of arrival. (Both need to be kept for 6 months).
Your vehicle and trailer/van will need to be cleaned and disinfected prior to collection of the animals.
You will need to have a valid movement Licence as issued by the SVS prior to the FMD shut down. These licences allow you to transport livestock on journeys of up to 64kms(Type 1), or all journeys including over 8 hours (Type 2). You will need the correct one.
You must be wearing clean clothes, clean and washed/disinfected boots; washable protective clothing for loading and unloading. These will need to be…

29 Sep 2007 19:27

NFU WM FMD Update 25

FMD UPDATE 25 FROM NFU WEST MIDLANDS26/09/07

Contents: Disease situation; farm to farm movements; legal update; Bluetongue; vigilance; contact numbers

DISEASE SITUATION

A 3km Temporary Control Zone has today been put around a premises near Maidenhead, Berkshire within the existing surveillance zone. This is a precautionary measure following a veterinary assessment of clinical signs. Laboratory tests are ongoing.

FARM TO FARM MOVEMENTS

The general licence for certain movements of susceptible animals between premises within the Restricted Zone (EXD450(FMD)(E)) includes a requirement that the owner or keeper of the animals completes the declaration attached to the licence before the movement starts. This licence does not apply to movements from premises in certain parts of the country – see paragraph 2 of the licence. The licence and the declaration can be downloaded from the DEFRA website

This declaration requires the owner or keeper of the animals to confirm that:

· they have read and understood the conditions contained in the licence, and will comply with those conditions;

· they do not consider that any susceptible animals on the premises of origin are showing symptoms of Foot and Mouth disease, or any other notifiable disease;

· the susceptible animals being moved are fit to travel;

· all movement and animal identification legislation has been complied with.

It is important that the person signing the declaration has read and understood the conditions contained in the general licence, and ensures that those requirements are complied with. There is also a section at the bottom of the form for the person moving the animals to complete if they are not the owner or keeper of the animals. It is not necessary to have a vet present when completing this declaration.

This licence only applies to certain movements of pigs, and there are additional requirements for the movement of pigs under this licence. One of these additional requirements…

27 Sep 2007 23:58

BLS Bulletin No. 12

Dear Member

Issued by BAS/BLS Welfare Health and Committee - 26 September 2007

Animal Movement Licence

A general licence for the movement of susceptible animals, including camelids, within the 'low risk areas' is now available on the ministry web sites. These documents must be completed and signed by both the sending and receiving person before the journey begins. No multiple drop-offs or picks-ups are permitted and the receiving farm is shut down for all out going movement for 20 days after they receive an animal of any susceptible species, including camelids.

Although movement are now possible in these areas we would urge extreme caution and ask that movement are limited wherever possible.

If you are not sure, please phone your local animal health office.

Licences are available from:

England has produced a general licence for all susceptible species (except pigs) and which does include camelids :

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/pdf/gl-movement-450-250907.pdf

Scotland has a general licence which covers direct movements of cattle, sheep and goats between premises. Pig movements are covered by general licence No. 29. The movement of other FMD susceptible animals such as deer and camelids direct between premises are permitted by application to your local animal health office for a specific licence (Specific Licence No.28).

Wales has produced a general licence for all susceptible species which does include camelids. It can be accessed fromhttp://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/ahw/disease_surveillance_control/ foot_and_mouth_disease

Interactive maps and descriptions of the various zones are available from:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/latest-situation/index.htm

Brenda Birmingham
Secretary - British Llama Society
Lower Braundsworthy, Shebbear, Beaworthy, Devon EX21 5TB
t: 01409 231704 e: llamarati@aol.com or Secretary@BritishLlamaSociety.com

26 Sep 2007 21:09

NFU WM FMD Update 24

FMD UPDATE 24 FROM NFU WEST MIDLANDS25/09/07

CONTENTS: Current FMD situation; movements; Bluetongue latest; contact numbers

CURRENT FMD SITUATION

Following negative laboratory results, the two Temporary Control Zones in the Hampshire area have now lifted.

The Foot and Mouth Disease situation is that there are currently seven Infected Premises. Positive test results for FMD have now been confirmed at the site where cattle were slaughtered on suspicion yesterday. The site is within the existing Egham Protection Zone in Surrey and this becomes the seventh Infected Premises since 3 August this year. Minor changes are being made to the Protection Zone (PZ) and Surveillance Zone (SZ) in the area.

MOVEMENTS

We are still awaiting (as at 5.10pm) full details of the general licence which will permit farm to farm movements in the low risk area, subject to certain conditions. Stock cannot be moved until the licence details are published, as farmers will need to check that they can comply with the conditions and that they have signed the necessary paperwork. Check the DEFRA website before moving animals.

Movements will only be permitted under a self-declaration of compliance with the General Licence conditions.
The General Licence conditions are expected to include:

· Reading, understanding and signing a movement declaration

· No multiple pick-ups or drop-offs

· 20-day standstill

· High bio-security, including Cleansing & Disinfection of all vehicles carrying livestock at departure and arrival

· Up to date record keeping

· Pigs must have a pre-movement veterinary inspection, and be moved within 12 hours of inspection. Pigs can largely move under the previous General Licence conditions except that the distance limits of 50km and 100km are removed. However, there should be no scheduled transport stops between premises. No movements of pigs outside an established pyramid structure may take place.

Movements within premises or…

26 Sep 2007 21:07

NFU WM FMD Update 23

FMD UPDATE 23 FROM NFU WEST MIDLANDS 25/09/07

CONTENTS: Current situation; Epidemiology, ‘risk’ areas, movements, Bluetongue; contact nos

CURRENT SITUATION

Yesterday evening, DEFRA outlined their ‘integrated, risk based approach to deal with the current disease situation with both Bluetongue and Foot and Mouth Disease, based on the contingency plan and continued work with industry’.

There have been six foot & mouth Infected Premises. Currently there are Temporary Control Zones on the Hampshire/West Sussex border and in Hampshire. A further slaughter on suspicion for Foot and Mouth disease was taking place last night at a premises within the existing Egham Protection Zone.

A second cow has tested positive for Bluetongue on the same farm in Baylham, Suffolk, where the disease was first discovered on 22 September. This is not sufficient evidence to confirm an outbreak of Bluetongue as it cannot yet be demonstrated that the disease is circulating between the local animal and midge populations. The cow was culled as it may have posed a threat to the other animals on the premises. This is because it could have potentially provided a source of infection for the local midge population. DEFRA continue to test the remaining animals on the premises and surrounding area.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

DEFRA has also published the latest FMD Epidemiology report produced by the National Epidemiology Emergency Group. It concludes that IP5 provides a link between the August and September cases, with IP5 probably being infected by mechanical transmission, either from the Pirbright site or one of the first two Infected Premises in the Elstead area. It also concludes that IPs 3 and 4 were probably infected subsequently.

The report also states there have been limited animal movements out of the Surrey area, in part due to the restrictions in place in August, which has reduced the risk of wider spread. In addition, the report concludes that the future course of the outbreak is dependent on the…

26 Sep 2007 21:06

Bulletin 11 - Bluetongue and Foot and Mouth Disease

Information issued by BAS/BLS Health & Welfare on 24 September 2007

Bluetongue and Foot and Mouth Disease: an integrated strategy

Defra has released details of “an integrated, risk based approach" to deal with the current situation with respect to both Bluetongue and Foot and Mouth Disease. The country is to be divided into zones which enables limited reintroduction of animal movements, under strict bio-security and licence, to begin at 3.30pm on Tuesday 25^th September.

Foot & Mouth- There have been six Infected Premises in the so far in the Surrey area, and there is a Temporary Control Zone on the Hampshire/West Sussex border. Defra has also today published the latest FMD Epidemiology report which indicates that they have worked out the sequence and mechanism of infection between all the existing sites. There were limited animal movements out of the Surrey area during the ‘window’ between outbreaks which has reduced the risk of wider spread.

Intensive surveillance is already underway on a precautionary basis in the wider Egham and Surrey areas. Further surveillance by cattle blood testing will take place. In addition, the report concludes that the future course of the outbreak is dependent on the surveillance for infection and disease by both animal keepers and Animal Health patrols. Livestock owners should check their animals twice daily and report any suspicions of disease immediately.

As from 3.30pm on Tuesday 25^thSeptember the country will be divided into Risk and Low Risk Areas

FMD Risk Area: consisting of Essex, Kent, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Greater London.

Existing FMD controls continue to apply in this area. Movement to slaughter or to a vet under licence only. NOT OTHER ANIMAL MOVEMENT ALLOWED – THIS INCLUDES CAMELIDS

Low Risk Area: The rest of England, Wales and Scotland.

In England, farm to farm movements within the Low Risk areas will be allowed from 3.30pm Tuesday 25…

25 Sep 2007 21:02

Bulletin No. 10 Blue Tongue Virus. 23 Sept 2007

Information issued by BAS/BLS Health & Welfare

23 September 2007

BLUE TONGUE British livestock Farming has been hit yet again by a seriously destructive disease, Blue Tongue Virus (BT), which has been spreading throughout Northern Europe for the last year. Late last night DEFRA confirmed that a cow near Ipswich has been found to be infected.

Although this is not a reason to panic it is a reason to become more informed. The information below has been gathered from the DEFRA website as well as from Janet Nuttal MRCVS, who is Honorary Secretary of the British Veterinary Camelid Society (BCVS). www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/index.htm

Although a single cow has tested positive for BT, this does not mean we are heading into another epidemic. DEFRA are testing others and hope that it is an isolated case.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/pdf/bluetongue-control-strategy0807.pdf

BVCS tells us that the virus can affect all ruminants, including camelids, but that symptoms are usually seen only in sheep. Infection is spread by midges and there are 24 viral serotypes, constantly mutating,which affect different types of midge - at least 2 of the possible midge hosts already exist in the UK. The infected female midge lives for approx 3 weeks, transmitting the virus when sucking blood, mainly at dawn and dusk. She lays eggs in protected, moist areas, especially dung. The virus cannot be transmitted to the next generation of midges and when the adult midges die off over winter it is maintained in the ruminant population, mainly cattle.

In the ruminant host the first clinical signs are seen 3-5 days after the infected midge bite (see the above website for details and pictures) but the virus can persist for up to 50 days in sheep and up to 100 days in cattle. Mortality in sheep ranges from 30-70%.

Suggested Bio-Security Control:

- House animals, especially between dusk and dawn

- Clean up manure piles

- Use insecticides on animals

- Smudge fires

-…

24 Sep 2007 19:14