Worst ever outbreak of bluetongue hits British farms
Summary
British farms are facing the worst outbreak of bluetongue, a viral disease affecting sheep and cattle, with more cases in the current season than the previous three years combined. The disease spreads through biting midges and is linked to warmer temperatures caused by climate change, allowing it to spread further north, even into Scotland for the first time.Key Facts
- Bluetongue virus causes fever, ulcers, swollen heads, lameness, and can be fatal to sheep and cattle.
- The virus is spread by biting midges and originated in Africa; it has spread to Europe over the past 20 years.
- The current strain, serotype 3 (BTV-3), was first detected in England in 2023.
- The 2026-27 bluetongue season has recorded 2,201 cases so far, more than the past three seasons combined.
- Farmers find it hard to get vaccines, which are important to protect livestock but are in high demand.
- The disease has now been found as far north as Aberdeenshire, Scotland, marking its first appearance there.
- Climate change, causing hotter summers and milder winters, helps the biting midges survive and spread the virus.
- Experts warn that similar outbreaks and bites from other insects carrying diseases could increase without measures to reduce global warming.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
