Claire Whitehead BVM&S MS FHEA Diplomate ACVIM (Large Animal) MRCVS from Camelid Veterinary Services shares an update on bluetongue.
The Bluetongue virus (serotype 3) has now made an appearance in Europe and the UK. It has been spreading through Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Denmark and Switzerland, and was first detected in the UK in late August 2024 in East Anglia.
Bluetongue virus is spread by midges: it is windborne spread of infected midges from the European continent that is thought to have resulted in the current UK outbreak. There is currently a restriction zone and movement licenses are required to move animals in this zone. Please visit the following page for further information on these:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bluetongue-movement-licences-and-designated-slaughterhouses
Please note that Bluetongue is a notifiable disease and you must report signs consistent with Bluetongue virus infection. So what should you look out for? Do check out the list of possible clinical signs in other species here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bluetongue
How about camelids?
Here is what some of our veterinary colleagues have been sharing of their experiences in Germany. Across the livestock species, sheep are affected the worst and have experienced the most deaths, cattle are least affected, with reduction in milk yields the main issue.
- Most camelids so far seem unaffected, but may become lethargic, weak, and go off food, or have a fever for a day or two.
- Some camelids die within a day of showing clinical signs, some being found with sudden onset respiratory signs that progress to death within a few hours.
- Some cases have been seen with opacities in the eyes.
- There have been some abortions/premature births. In the UK, at this time we are mostly past birthing season but we may potentially see issues of pregnancy loss, so look out for this.
Vaccinations are now available in the UK, and there are 3 brands, Bultavo-3, Bluevac-3 and Syvazul BTV3. I asked my colleague in Hamburg if he would recommend vaccination: he said yes, to reduce the severity of clinical signs.
The British Veterinary Camelid Society is working hard to try to ensure that vets are armed with the most up to date knowledge and information (mostly anecdotal) that we have. BVCS Secretary Ami Sawran gave a webinar hosted by the Eastern Alpaca Group last week sharing our best advice. We advise you to engage your vet in discussion about whether or not to vaccinate. We do not have enough information yet about any potential side effects of vaccines, but you have to weigh up the possibility of death due to infections too.