Bluetongue

Question 1

The outcome of infection

Answer 1

ranges from inapparent in the
vast majority of infected animals, especially
wild Africa ruminants and cattle, to fatal in a
proportion of infected sheep, goats, deer and
some wild ruminants. However a higher
incidence of clinical disease has been
observed in cattle infected with BVT 8 in
Europe. Some breeds of sheep are more
susceptible to disease than others.

Question 2

 COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2000/75/EC of 20 November
2000 laying down specific provisions for the control
and eradication of bluetongue
 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1266/2007 of
26 October 2007 on implementing rules for Council
Directive 2000/75/EC as regards the control,
monitoring, surveillance and restrictions on
movements of certain animals of susceptible species
in relation to bluetongue

Answer 2

 COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2000/75/EC of 20 November
2000 laying down specific provisions for the control
and eradication of bluetongue
 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1266/2007 of
26 October 2007 on implementing rules for Council
Directive 2000/75/EC as regards the control,
monitoring, surveillance and restrictions on
movements of certain animals of susceptible species
in relation to bluetongue

Question 3

bluetongue seasonally-free zone:

Answer 3

 an epidemiological relevant geographical
area of a Member State for which, for a part
of the year, surveillance demonstrates no
evidence of bluetongue virus transmission or
of adult Culicoides likely to be competent
bluetongue vectors;

Question 4

When the presence of bluetongue

is officially confirmed

Answer 4

the official veterinarian shall:
 proceed with the slaughter deemed
necessary to prevent extension of the
epidemic;
 order the destruction, elimination,
incineration or burial of the carcases of those
animals;
 extend the measures of official surveillance
and movement restrictions to holdings
located within a radius of 20 kilometres
(including the protection zone) around the
infected holding or holdings;
 if necessary, implement vaccination
programme or other, alternative measure;
 carry out an epidemiological survey.

Question 5

The epidemiological survey shall

concern

Answer 5

 the duration of the period for which bluetongue may
have been present at the holding;
 the possible origin of bluetongue at the holding and
the identification of other holdings which have
animals that may have been infected or
contaminated from the same source;
 the presence and distribution of vectors of the
disease;
 movements of animals from or to the holdings in
question or any departure of animal carcases from
those holdings.

Question 6

surveillance zone

Answer 6

shall consist of a part of the
Community territory with a depth of at least
50 kilometres extending beyond the limits of the
protection zone and in which no vaccination has
been carried out during the previous twelve months.
 Where the zones are located on the territory of more
than one Member State, the competent authorities of
the Member States concerned shall cooperate for
the purpose of demarcating the zones.

Question 7

Measures in the protection zone:

Answer 7

 the identification of all holdings with animals inside the zone;

 the implementation by the competent authority of an epidemio-
surveillance programme based on the monitoring of sentinel

groups of bovine animals (or, in their absence, of other species
of ruminant) and vector populations;
 a ban on animals leaving the zone. However, exemptions from
the exit ban may be decided on in particular for animals
situated in part of the zone where there is a proven absence of
viral circulation or of vectors.
Vaccination of animals against bluetongue and their identification
in the protection zone may be decided.

Question 8

In the surveillance zone

Answer 8

the measures for
the protection zone apply. Any vaccination
against bluetongue is prohibited.

 All persons in the protection and surveillance
zones shall be fully informed of the
restrictions in force and make any
arrangements required for the proper
implementation of the measures in question.

Question 9

Bluetongue monitoring and surveillance

programmes in the restricted zones

Answer 9

 Bluetongue monitoring programmes in
restricted zones shall be aimed at providing
information on the dynamics of bluetongue in
a zone already subjected to restrictions.
 The geographical unit of reference shall be
defined by a grid of around 45 × 45 km
(approximately 2 000 km2), unless specific
environmental conditions justify a different
size.