Changes

===Controlling Spread of Bluetongue in Europe===

===Controlling Spread of Bluetongue in Europe===

Although some factors influencing the introduction of bluetongue to an area are outwith human control, such as transportation of ''Culicoides'' on the wind, certain measures can be taken to help avoid BTV becoming established in an area. This involves designation of areas where bluetongue is circulating as "Restricted Zones" for the specific serotype, and imposing movement limitations within and between these areas. Animals in Restricted Zones (RZs) may be moved within in the zone, and animals from "free zones" (BTV-free areas) may be moved without restrictions, including into RZs. However, animals from Restricted Zones may not be moved out of these areas unless they are moving to a confluent Restricted Zone for the same serotype. A map of the current RZs is available from the [http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/diseases/controlmeasures/bt_restrictedzones-map.jpg European Commission Website].

Although some factors influencing the introduction of bluetongue to an area are outwith human control, such as transportation of ''Culicoides'' on the wind, certain measures can be taken to help avoid BTV becoming established in an area. This involves designation of areas where bluetongue is circulating as Restricted (or Protection) Zones for the specific serotype, and imposing movement limitations within and between these areas. Animals in Protection Zones may be moved within in the zone, and to confluent protection Zones for the same serotype. However, they may not be moved to Free Zones (BTV-free areas), although animals from Free Zones may be moved without restriction. A map of the current Restriction/Protection Zones in Europe is available from the [http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/diseases/controlmeasures/bt_restrictedzones-map.jpg European Commission Website].

•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.

Lower Risk Zones may also be demarcated. These are areas where disease is not currently circulating, but rules are in place to limit the risk of introducing bluetongue with minimal disruption to trade. Normally, vaccination against bluetongue is only permissable in areas where BTV is circulating, i.e. protection/restriction zones. Designating a Lower Risk Zone allows livestock holders to vaccinate against bluetongue although the virus is not currently circulating, thus helping to prevent infection. Imports from confluent RZs are also permitted, subject to

===Vaccination===

===Vaccination===