What is the potentially deadly bluetongue virus?

Rising cases of a deadly virus affecting livestock have been confirmed in the South West, amid dozens of new cases in the UK.

Bluetongue virus (BTV) - an insect-borne viral disease affecting sheep and cattle among other animals - has sparked concern among Exmoor farmers as they deal with difficult weather conditions and mounting economic pressures.

Oliver Edwards, who farms near Minehead, Somerset, said that this had been his "most challenging time" in 45 years of farming.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) said farmers should remain vigilant and report any suspicions of disease. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said work was under way "to get the vaccine to the farms".

While potentially fatal for livestock, the virus does not affect humans.

Clinical signs among affected animals include fever, lameness, facial swelling, nasal discharge and mouth ulcers, with three deaths of animals reported in the region in July so far.

It also does not affect food safety. Meat and milk from infected animals are safe to eat and drink.

This particular strain of BTV was first detected in England in November 2023.

Hot weather has created favourable conditions for the virus to spread as high temperatures allow it to develop more quickly in midges.

BTV affects cattle, goats, sheep, deer and camelids, and can cause ulcers or sores around an animal's mouth and face, difficulties swallowing and breathing, fever and lameness, foetal deformities and stillbirths.

"We noticed some of the cattle were feeling a bit lame and we put it down to the weather," said Edwards.

"[But] talking to the vets, we thought it was bluetongue."

Farmers are being urged to continue getting their livestock vaccinated against bluetongue despite a bottleneck in supplies arriving from Europe.

UK chief veterinary officer Dr Christine Middlemiss said Europe had been vaccinating at higher rates than the UK and had more supply, but added: "Do go and order it... there is still time to vaccinate and help prevent infection.

"Europe is using vaccination, they've been vaccinating at higher rates than us so there has been more vaccine there, but the manufacturers are working very hard to pull it through into GB," she said.

"It is going straight out."

Speaking about the impact of climate change on bluetongue, Dr Christine Middlemiss conceded it was "likely" bluetongue would be a persistent problem for the UK as the climate changed.

"Bluetongue will be here to stay and we will need to keep on a constant programme of vaccination to keep high levels of protection," she said.

Vet Chris Clements, based in Minehead, explained that BTV spread through midges biting livestock and other animals such as deer.

"It doesn't affect humans other than obviously this economic impact and effect on farmers," Clements said.

"We're sadly seeing deaths in affected animals, specifically sheep," he said.

If BTV was caught by a pregnant animal it could result in abortion, foetal deformities or weaker offspring, he added.

Farmer Kim Dart has described the devastating impact of the outbreak after losing about 25 sheep and lambs.

Dart, who farms near South Molton in Devon, said she dreaded checking her flock each day because more animals were dying despite efforts to protect them.

She said: "We didn't see it coming on this scale.

"We'd heard about it but we didn't expect it to be quite as overwhelming really.

"One minute you think that they're doing OK and then suddenly they die."

The sickest sheep had been brought indoors so they could receive extra food, water and care, she added.

Clements explained that animals could be treated and they did not necessarily have to be culled if they caught the virus.

Instead, disease control from authorities such as Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) relies on movement restrictions and optional or targeted vaccinations.

During a visit to Cornwall on 15 August, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there was "a vaccine and work has been done to bring a vaccine forward".

He said: "I know the issue is now one of access to that vaccine, but the farming minister very much is here talking to the NFU [National Farmers Union] about those concerns, working as hard as we can to get the vaccine to the farms where it is needed.

"So, yes, very much at the top of our agenda."

Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, has raised farmers' concerns in a letter to Defra.

She warned of a growing sense among her constituents that there were no effective solutions or practical measures being put forward to address the problem.

She has asked Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Minister for Biosecurity, Borders and Animals, to set out what the department was doing to improve reporting, support affected farmers and limit the spread of the disease.

"The spread of bluetongue disease is undoubtedly a concern for many across my constituency, which is why I am calling on the minister to act," Gilmour said.

"Supporting our farmers and farms is more important than ever and, if this government is serious about providing that support, actioning urgent assistance for this outbreak is where it must start."

Ben Maguire, Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, said the virus was "quite simply decimating businesses" and he wanted the government to step in and help farmers.

He said: "I'm hearing from local farmers they can't get hold of the vaccines because, quite logically, there's a shortage because of all the demand for the vaccine.

"They're not getting help with the cost even with disposing of carcasses.

"Imagine that, imagine the mental health toll on farmers who are losing their livestock."

In response, a Defra spokesperson said the government recognised it was an "incredibly difficult time for animal keepers" and it was monitoring the situation closely.

Previously, Defra has said BTV posed no threat to the public or food safety.

A spokesperson from the Animal and Plant Health Agency said: "Bluetongue virus is circulating in England, particularly South West England and parts of Wales.

"The recent period of hot and humid weather has been favourable for midge populations, which has likely contributed to increased numbers of cases in cattle and particularly sheep.

"Livestock keepers should remain vigilant and report any suspicions of disease to APHA.

"We encourage all farmers and keepers to discuss vaccination with their vet as this is the most effective way of protecting their animals."

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