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EU veterinary experts on Wednesday [3 Oct 2007] approved the 

extension of a restricted zone around outbreaks of the bluetongue 

livestock disease, including an area of Britain for the 1st time.



The EU's Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health 

(SCFCAH) voted to broaden the bluetongue restriction zones to cover 

parts of southeast England and more areas in the Czech Republic, 

Denmark, France, and Portugal where outbreaks of the disease have 

been reported.



The 1st case of bluetongue ever recorded in Britain was confirmed in 

a cow near Ipswich in southeastern England last week [24 Sep 2007].



The bluetongue problem within the European Union has increased 

swiftly since the 1st outbreak of the BTV-8 strain, for which there 

is no vaccination, in northern Europe last year [2006]. There have 

been over 23 500 outbreaks of bluetongue so far this year [2007].



The disease is difficult to control once it takes hold as it is 

passed mainly by tiny flying midges. It is not a risk to humans, but 

in animals it causes high fevers, mouth ulcers, and swollen heads. 

[Strangely, this newswire neglects the fact that BTV "also" kills; 

the case fatality rate in susceptible sheep breeds may exceed 50 

percent! - Mod.AS]



In the past, bluetongue tended to occur further south in Spain and 

Italy as well as in northern Africa, and some experts blame climate 

change for its northward progress.



Given the size of the problem in Europe now, the European Commission 

has also decided to beef up control measures "to make them more 

sustainable, proportionate, and science-based," and bring them more 

in line with international standards. [A most commendable though 

somewhat belated step, which will spare unnecessary cullings. - Mod.AS]



Under the draft legislation, approved by the EU experts, monitoring 

for bluetongue will be compulsory in all infected countries, while 

other EU member states will have to carry out surveillance measures. 

The Commission hopes that a vaccination for the strain hitting 

northern Europe will become available next year [2008].



--

Sabine Zentis

Castleview Pedigree English Longhorns

  Gut Laach, 52385 Nideggen

Germany





[In the absence of a commercially available (inactivated) BTV-8 

vaccine, susceptible livestock, and particularly sheep, may suffer 

serious losses during the rest of this year's (2007) disease period, 

which may last for 2-3 remaining months. The disease demonstrates a 

clear potential for further spread, particularly in the UK, where the 

entire ruminant population is devoid of antibodies.



Though -- for reasons that are in need of scientific explanation -- 

the use of live-attenuated BTV vaccines has not been sanctioned by 

the EU, this issue seems to deserve reconsideration if there is a 

genuine wish to diminish this year's (2007) losses. From a reliable 

source we noted that the availability of a live-attenuated BTV-8 

vaccine, tested for its safety, has been recently mentioned and 

remains a subject for discussion. - Mod.AS]



...................................arn/mj/mpp