| There is no efficient treatment for bluetongue, and so the emphasis is on prophylaxis and control. | | There is no efficient treatment for bluetongue, and so the emphasis is on prophylaxis and control. |
− | When bluetongue is present in the UK, there are several broad principles to disease control. Firstly, premises suspected of having the disease are inspected by a veterinary surgeon, and a ban is placed on moving animals on and off the site. Once it has been confirmed that bluetongue is circulating (i.e. there is not a single, isolated case of disease, due to importation for example), a Restricted Zone is imposed around the infected premises. A Restricted Zone is composed of a Protection Zone of at least 100km radius, and a Surveillance Zone of at least a further 50km radius. These sizes ae dictated by EU legislation for bluetongue control. | + | When bluetongue is present in the UK, there are several broad principles to disease control. Firstly, premises suspected of having the disease are inspected by a veterinary surgeon, and a ban is placed on moving animals on and off the site. Once it has been confirmed that bluetongue is circulating (i.e. there is not a single, isolated case of disease, for example due to importation), a Restricted Zone is imposed around the infected premises. A Restricted Zone is the overall areas where restrictions apply and is composed of a Protection Zone 9100km radiua) surrounded by a Surveillance Zone (50km radius). The sizes of these zones are dictated by EU legislation for bluetongue control. The Restricted Zone may also contain areas of tigher restrictions in the immediate vicinity of infected premises. |
| •Member states may demarcate part of a Protection Zone as a Lower Risk Zone. This allows livestock holders to continue vaccinating against bluetongue in an area without bluetongue virus circulation. | | •Member states may demarcate part of a Protection Zone as a Lower Risk Zone. This allows livestock holders to continue vaccinating against bluetongue in an area without bluetongue virus circulation. |