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Since the end of November, France has reported more than 50 new cases of the BTV-4 bluetongue strain in the east of the country. However, none of the cases have displayed clinical signs of the disease.
The new cases came from animals moved from the French island of Corsica rather than imports or transmission by known vectors such as insects.
This means that the disease is now unlikely to be eradicated in France, according to UK veterinary officers. Instead, France has imposed a restriction zone for both BTV-4 and BTV-8 strains over all mainland France.
A total of 8,731 animals were moved from Corsica to other parts of France since an outbreak there last year.
Live trade
Trade between France and other EU member states may continue as long as cattle have been vaccinated or are naturally immune to the disease and their transport has been treated with insecticide.
Other member states may also import French animals under bilateral agreements where the animals haven’t been vaccinated or they aren’t naturally immune during the low vector activity season.
Authorities have reminded all livestock owners that they should source animals responsibly by working with their private veterinarians and livestock dealers to make sure animals are correctly vaccinated and protected prior to travel.
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