Changes

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.

The measures set out in legislation are aimed at preventing disease spread through, for example, restriction of animal movement and through vector control measures. Broadly, the controls can be summarised as follows:

There are several broad principles to bluetongue control in the UK. 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 (e.g. signs are not simply due to the recent importation of infected animals), 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.

•On confirmation that bluetongue virus is circulating, a Restricted Zone (RZ) will be declared around the infected premises. The RZ may consist of:  

•On confirmation that bluetongue virus is circulating, a Restricted Zone (RZ) will be declared around the infected premises. The RZ may consist of:  

•A Protection Zone (PZ) (at least 100km radius around an IP) and a Surveillance Zone (SZ) (at least 50km in radius beyond the PZ); together they are called the Bluetongue Restricted Zone.

•A Protection Zone (PZ) (at least 100km radius around an IP) and a Surveillance Zone (SZ) (at least 50km in radius beyond the PZ); together they are called the Bluetongue Restricted Zone.