The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) recognises the pressures that seasonal Bluetongue virus outbreaks can place on farmers and veterinary practices.
Please be aware of the following points in relation to BTV and TB testing:
- The risk of mechanical transmission of BTV through tuberculin skin testing is considered to be very low and of little practical significance for the spread of BTV. Strict adherence to the approved skin testing protocols (including the hygienic practices relating to the use of intradermal needles) further reduces this low risk.
- Suspicion or confirmation of BTV infection in a herd does not provide grounds for delaying statutory TB skin or blood testing. There is no provision to extend testing windows or to grant exemptions from statutory TB testing requirements because of BTV. All tests must be completed within the required testing window. If animals are unwell, the keeper can decide not to proceed with TB testing. However, if statutory TB testing becomes overdue, standard procedures will apply, including service of herd movement restrictions where applicable.
- Bluetongue vaccination – if this is intended to be carried out during a tuberculin skin test, it should be done on Day 2 (TT2) rather than on Day 1 (TT1) of the test, in line with existing guidance on the use of veterinary medicines during tuberculin skin testing.
Maintaining timely statutory TB surveillance testing is a legal requirement and remains essential to protect animal health and support progress towards bovine TB eradication. Postponing TB skin testing could delay the detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection and hence increase the risk of spread within herds.
For more information, please refer to OV Briefing Note 31/23