There have been 26 new outbreaks of Bluetongue disease in France since mid-April according to government surveillance data. The latest outbreaks, reported in a bulletin from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

All recent outbreaks are on cattle farms, apart from one case detected in a goat, and most are in Eastern France. Overall, outbreaks have been concentrated around central France, mostly in the Allier and Puy du Dome regions. All recent outbreaks have been detected by surveillance reports, not direct reports of disease in animals, which authorities suggested means the strain BTV-8 is hard to detect based on observable symptoms in cattle.

In February, the government, veterinary organisations and farm unions advised farmers to remain vigilant to the threat of blue tongue virus, in light of the high number of outbreaks in France (this stood at 266 at the end of April).

In its report published at the end of last week, APHA said that the cold weather seen over much of Europe has meant that disease-carrying midges have remained less active. Even so, APHA concluded that there has been no change in risk levels in Britain.

Restriction zones remain in place in France to control the spread of the disease, and these have been tightened in light of new outbreaks. The UK government also has a surveillance programme in place, and APHA experts will use meteorological observations to assess the risk to British livestock from disease carrying midges being blown across the Channel.

Government advice for farmers is to “remain vigilant for any signs of disease and report any suspicions to their vet and the Animal and Plant Health Agency immediately.”

In February, NFU and Veterinary industry representatives also suggested livestock keepers discuss whether vaccination would benefit their business with their vet.

APHA’s full report is available here