Bluetongue

Tests

VLA has worked in collaboration with the Institute of Animal Health at Pirbright to introduce the PCR test for bluetongue virus.

This test is available, via veterinary surgeons, for pre-movement (UK) and export testing purposes only. See the instructions to vets for further information.

There are no validated tests available at present that conclusively prove that animals have been successfully vaccinated with BTV-8 vaccine.

The antibody ELISA used at VLA is extremely sensitive at detecting antibodies in BTV infected animals but it does not always detect antibodies in vaccinated animals. If animals are tested negative with this ELISA it does not mean that they have not been vaccinated. If animals test positive they are likely to have been vaccinated.

Prices of PCR tests:

  • single sample submitted - £30
  • 2 to 9 samples submitted - £25 per sample
  • 10+ samples submitted - £22.50 per sample

Price of ELISA test:

  • £4.50 per sample.

What is bluetongue?

Bluetongue is an insect-borne viral disease to which all species of ruminants are susceptible. The virus is transmitted by a small biting midge of the Culicoides genus rather than from animal to animal. The virus does not affect humans.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease and, where suspected, should be reported to Animal Health.

For further information about the bluetongue situation, see the Defra website.

A follow-up investigation into bluetongue negative report cases

VLA have published a report on the results of investigations (pdf 793kb) into ten disease incidents in cattle that resulted in suspicion of bluetongue disease on clinical grounds, but which subsequently gave negative laboratory results.

The aim of the study was to determine whether these disease incidents were due to a known endemic disease or a potentially new or unrecognised disease. Investigations were carried out by veterinary investigation officers from the VLA.

Epidemiology report

Defra have published an epidemiology report on the distribution of bluetongue infection in Great Britain.

This report draws on information and data from a number of sources, including the results of pre-movement testing of livestock during the vector free period from 20 December to 15 March 2008. 

During this period over 90,000 samples from cattle and sheep in the restricted zones were tested at VLA Weybridge.