Bluetongue Hits 4 Scottish Farms in a Week as England Cases Reach 439

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Aug 18

Four farms around Creetown have recorded bluetongue in just over a week, including Scotland’s first infected lamb and first positive cow; all positive animals have been euthanised.
Infected midges are believed to have blown north from England, where 439 cases are active, turning what vets called a long-expected risk into Scotland’s first outbreak.
Fiona Johnson’s remaining stock — 27 lambs and five calves — has tested negative, but nearby farmers fear wider spread as they prepare to sell breeding animals.
20,000 vaccine doses at one Lockerbie practice were exhausted within 48 hours, while vets and Scotland’s chief veterinary officer urged rapid vaccination to contain the virus.
Movement restrictions could still disrupt sales, with NFU Scotland warning any block on getting lambs and breeding sheep to market would bring significant financial and welfare costs.