Bluetongue reports rise as government explains testing process

The full picture

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease that affects livestock. Cases have recently risen sharply in the UK, leading to increased reports and samples being sent for testing. Farmers and veterinarians must report suspected cases to APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) promptly to aid surveillance and control efforts.

The UK Government has explained how suspected bluetongue cases move from reporting through assessment and sampling to test results, as cases rise sharply and more samples are submitted for testing.[1] The current guidance says several steps are required before results can be accurately recorded and communicated.[1] Bluetongue is a notifiable disease, so suspected cases must legally be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency, known as APHA.[1] Reporting forms an important part of disease surveillance and control.[1] After a suspicion is reported, the case is assessed and samples may be collected for testing.[1] The process continues until a result confirms whether bluetongue is present in the livestock concerned.[1] Testing serves more than one purpose: it can confirm whether the disease is bluetongue, identify the strain involved and rule out other diseases that may cause similar clinical signs.[1] These checks help explain why a result is not issued immediately after a suspected case is reported.[1] The sharp recent rise in cases has increased both the volume of reports and the number of samples being sent for testing.[1] The source does not provide case totals, a regional breakdown or a standard waiting time for results.[1] Veterinary Head of Outbreak Delivery Sascha Van Helvoort has outlined the steps for farmers and vets, including how they can help make the process as efficient as possible.[1] The government says understanding the process can help avoid delays and allow samples to be processed as quickly as possible.[1] Livestock keepers who suspect bluetongue must report that suspicion to APHA rather than wait for certainty.[1] Those already awaiting results can expect the case to pass through assessment, sampling, testing, accurate recording and communication before the presence or absence of disease is confirmed.[1] The next confirmed development for an individual reported case is the issue and communication of its test result.[1] That result can establish whether bluetongue is present, identify its strain when applicable and help exclude diseases with similar clinical signs.[1]

Why now?

Bluetongue cases have recently been rising sharply, producing more reports and more samples for testing.[1] The government has therefore explained the steps from reporting a suspected notifiable disease to confirming whether bluetongue is present.[1]