Deadly bluetongue detected on second farm in Scotland as three more suspected cases investigated
Two sheep tested positive on a second south-west Scotland farm, and officials said both farms are under restrictions while testing continues.
- On Wednesday, authorities in Scotland confirmed a second case of bluetongue serotype 3 in two sheep on a south-west farm, with Chief veterinary officer Sheila Voas noting both affected farms remain under movement restrictions.
- The disease was first detected on Saturday at Kirkambreck Farm near Newton Stewart in Dumfries and Galloway; primarily spread by biting midges, it causes symptoms including nasal discharge, lameness, and swelling in ruminant livestock.
- As a notifiable disease, suspected cases require immediate reporting to the Animal and Plant Health Agency; Voas urged farmers to discuss vaccination, stating, "Vaccination remains the best way of preventing disease in animals."
- Owners of Kirkambreck Farm, the Johnson family, confirmed Wednesday that their remaining animals tested negative, stating, "But for now at least we can breath a sigh of relief that we caught it early."
- The Scottish Government euthanised affected animals and enforced movement restrictions to contain the outbreak, emphasizing that BTV-3 poses no risk to humans or food safety.
10 Articles
10 Articles
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The potentially deadly bluetongue virus has been recorded in livestock in Scotland for the first time, according to the BBC. A single case of the virus was detected in a single sheep on a farm in Dumfries and Galloway. The…
Bluetongue 'taking a grip' on Scotland as second case confirmed
The bluetongue virus is “taking a grip” on Scotland as a second case has been confirmed in the country, according to government officials. A second case of bluetongue was detected on a farm near where the initial case was found in Dumfries and Galloway earlier this week, which marked the first time that the virus was present in Scotland. Scotland’s chief veterinary officer (CVO) Sheila Voas confirmed that two sheep tested positive in this new ca…
Deadly bluetongue detected on second farm in Scotland - as three more suspected cases investigated
Three animals have so far tested positive for bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3). National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Scotland said a further three suspected cases are currently under investigation. In total, three animals have been euthanised.
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