There have been eight more reported outbreaks of Bluetongue in France since 21 July this year, bringing the total number of outbreaks to 297. The extent of the restriction zones have not changed as a result of these cases and have stayed the same since April.

The new outbreaks were reported in the Allier, Ariege, Haute-Loire, Puy de Dome and Saoine et Loire regions. They were detected as part of active surveillance, they were all in cattle where just one or two animals tested positive out of a sample size of 60/farm. However the results suggest that the virus continues to circulate because the test used detects the virus rather than the anti-bodies.

These cases come from the restricted zone, however there is no data available from the sentinel surveillance, which is in the free area along the north coast.

ADVERTISEMENT

The risk level for England is now at medium as expected by September. This status will not change unless there are reports of the disease in northern France or other countries in north west Europe.

Britain makes Bluetongue vaccine available

Bluetongue risk is greater in Britain