An industry-wide BTV-3 impact survey, alongside clinical research by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), has shown substantial challenges for livestock farmers.
Conducted by Ruminant Health & Welfare in collaboration with Flock Health Limited, AHDB, and the University of Nottingham, the survey was designed to understand the impact in the UK more accurately.
“With bluetongue restrictions impacting movements, and increasingly, clinical signs being observed, it isn’t surprising that UK farmers have a lot of questions about vaccines,” says Fiona Lovatt of Flock Health Limited.
Early responses showed that over half were undecided about vaccines, although a substantial amount plan to vaccinate before the summer season. Sheep farmers showed the highest intent to vaccinate, possibly reflecting the more severe impact on sheep flocks.
Farmers who took part said they had questions about efficacy, when to vaccinate, the duration of immunity, possible risks, the impact on trade, availability and price.
Fiona adds: “Whereas actual infection with BTV-3 definitely has detrimental effects on fertility, there is no data or reports yet to suggest that well-timed vaccination has any negative impact on either sheep or cattle fertility.”
In terms of the wider impact, the survey showed that farmers are concerned about what the next year will bring, following infection cases in the UK. They also believe that the impact of BTV-3 extends beyond animal health and will impact farm operations and cash flow.
Those within the restricted areas have reported difficulties selling livestock. “I have store cattle that should have been sold by now, but with no market access, I’m struggling with forage and feed for winter,” shared one farmer.
Another farmer comment echoed by many others was: “We have experienced considerable financial loss.”
One farmer who has experienced mortality on-farm as a result of BTV-3 understandably reported the experience to be: “horrible; physically, financially, mentally and emotionally.”
With the short and mid-term outlook for BTV-3 uncertain, and dependent on factors such as weather and midge activity, Fiona looked overseas for insights on the vaccine.
“We know that in Germany, the research shows a marked difference in outcomes between vaccinated and unvaccinated herds and flocks. Findings indicate that unvaccinated sheep flocks have experienced mortality rates as high as 30%, whereas vaccinated flocks show significantly lower mortality, with some reporting only 1-2% losses.
“We want to learn from this data and build a UK base of evidence that we can trust going forward.”
According to research by the APHA, led by Dr Vanessa Swinson, clinical signs in infected animals include lameness, swollen faces, drooling, ulcers in the nose and mouth, nasal discharge, difficulty breathing and mortality.
A new study will see APHA vets talking through details of the impact of BTV-3, including a discussion on whether other endemic diseases may have influenced the outcome.
“UK farmers are at the forefront of dealing with the immediate and long-term effects of BTV-3,” said Fiona. “The impact survey and APHA’s research is starting to provide essential insights that will help us develop practical support, but we need to hear from more affected farmers.
For more information and to participate in the survey, visit bit.ly/BTV3survey – farmers can also stay up to date with the latest news and regulations on the Ruminant Health & Welfare bluetongue hub, or farmers can call the dedicated AHDB bluetongue hotline on 024 7771 0386 to get advice or ask questions.
In the UK, bluetongue, including BTV-3, is a notifiable disease, so anyone suspecting the disease must take action and report it to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on 03000 200 301.