Happy New Year to everyone, I hope this year offers you all prosperity, health and happiness. It seems impossible that 2024 will see Tibbs & Simmons’s 20th Year ‘In Practice’ completed. It has certainly whizzed by for Clare and I. We owe so much gratitude to our amazing loyal band of clients that have allowed us to develop into what we see today. The memories of some borrowed furniture and a home computer in our then office at Chancellors still makes us smile. We are planning a summer party to celebrate on the evening of Friday 14th June, so please save the date.
The 20-year period has certainly brought it’s share of challenges to Agriculture. In 2004 we were recovering from the Foot and Mouth outbreak that had wreaked havoc across the country. BSE has all but been eradicated now; we are still left with rules such as the 30-month slaughter and splitting carcasses. In 2007 we readied ourselves for an incursion of Blue Tongue Virus 8 and after a massive vaccination campaign we successfully won the battle and prevented an incursion, and indeed the only country in Europe to eradicate BT8 and prevent re-emergence the following year. Avian Influenza seems to be with us almost year-round now with various housing orders seemingly protecting the commercial poultry. It is with some alarm that we read news of continuing cases of Blue Tongue Virus 3 in the east of the country.
Blue Tongue Virus – serotype 3 (BT3) is the predominant strain in Northern Europe and is very distinct from the BT8 we experienced in 2007. BT3 is endemic in Southern Europe, causing up to 30% mortality in sheep. We have no vaccine available this time around, so we desperately need one to be developed and made available to the UK as soon as possible. BT is primarily a disease of Sheep, Cattle and Goats but can also affect Camelids and Deer. There is a variance in clinical signs, not all affected animals showing signs. Typically, incubation is 4-8 days before the virus causes damage to the lining of blood vessels which gives swelling and inflammation of the muzzle and nose with a muco-purulent nasal discharge. This can then progress to affect the coronary bands of the feet causing severe lameness which can cause the hooves to slough off. Abortion and stillbirths are common sequalae. When managing the disease in Europe last year much of the discussion was around which stage to opt for euthanasia rather than supportive treatment, euthanasia seemed appropriate if inappetent or unable to stand for at least 24 hours.
Protecting yourself in the absence of a vaccine is more than tricky. Cold weather is our saviour right now as transmission in cold weather is very much curtailed. Midges can stay alive and be carried on the wind for 16 hours and so are capable of travelling large distances. Insecticides can kill midges but they cannot kill quickly enough to prevent an infected midge transmitting the virus; so they do not offer complete protection. There is little evidence of insecticides offering any benefit in Europe. Muck heaps can encourage insects and midges so they should be away from livestock areas and grazing stock. It is obviously impossible to house all stock and net the shed to exclude midges; but it might be a consideration for some high value animals such as Bulls or Rams. If buying stock, it is worth considering where they are coming from, whist there will be a Control Zone preventing movement out of an infected area, the entire south coast can be considered high risk, especially the South-East. To move an infected animal into our area could result in localised spread and more infections. Ultimately, we need a vaccine, we all hope that one can be developed and rolled out swiftly.
We are currently taking names for a ‘Milksure’ course to be held shortly and we are also holding a Practical Lambing meeting on Weds Feb 7th at 11am at the Surgery. Please call to book for either of these meetings.