Bluetongue: A Growing Threat to Our Animals
At Remus Horse Sanctuary, we dedicate ourselves to providing love, care, and protection for the animals who call our Sanctuary home. But right now, they face a new and serious threat – bluetongue disease. This devastating virus is spreading across the UK and leaving a trail of suffering in its wake. At the Sanctuary, this means our sheep and goats are at risk.
“Due to climate change and rising temperatures, the midges have been able to spread north, bringing bluetongue to the UK.”
What is Bluetongue Disease?
Bluetongue is a viral disease transmitted by biting midges, primarily affecting ruminants like sheep and cattle. It can also impact goats, deer, and camelids such as llamas and alpacas. The disease causes fever, swelling of the face and tongue, excessive drooling, and in severe cases, lameness, and respiratory distress. Sadly, for many infected animals, the outcome is fatal.
While horses are not currently affected by bluetongue in the UK, our concern at the Sanctuary is for our vulnerable sheep and goats, who are very much at risk.
Where Has Bluetongue Come From?
Bluetongue is not a disease that originates in the UK. It is most common in warmer climates, particularly in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and southern Europe. However, due to climate change and rising temperatures, the midges that carry the virus have been able to spread further north, bringing bluetongue to the UK. The disease is now appearing more frequently, making it a growing concern for farmers and animal sanctuaries alike.
The Impact on Our Sanctuary
Caring for elderly and rescued animals is at the heart of what we do, but the spread of bluetongue is an additional and growing challenge. The Sanctuary is home to many sheep and goats who have already endured so much in their lives. The risk of this disease adds to their vulnerability and places even more strain on our resources.
With cases of bluetongue increasing in the UK, we have had to step up our biosecurity measures. We are working tirelessly to reduce the risk of infection by:
- Implementing extra midge control measures, such as insect-repellent sprays and all our ruminants have been vaccinated against bluetongue – this will not stop them getting it but will hopefully mean if they do get it, they may not get it quite so badly.
- Monitoring our animals closely for any early signs of the disease.
- Ensuring our veterinary teams are on high alert and prepared to act swiftly.
All these measures come at a cost – both financially and emotionally. Vet bills, specialised care, and protective measures are stretching our already limited funds, making donations more crucial than ever.
Biting midges that can spread bluetongue are found throughout Great Britain. They can also be blown long distances on the wind and bring the virus over from mainland Europe.
The following factors affect how quickly and how far the biting midges can spread bluetongue virus:
- time of year – biting midges are mainly active between April to November (‘high risk’ season)
- weather conditions (temperature, wind speed and direction, and rain)
- the distances between farms with susceptible animals and the density of animals in these farms
Biting midges can become infected with bluetongue virus when they bite an infected animal. The virus spreads when the infected biting midge then bites an uninfected susceptible animal.
Once a biting midge is infected with bluetongue virus, it can transmit the virus for the rest of its life. Adult biting midges typically live for up to a month but can survive longer.
How You Can Help
Bluetongue is just one of many challenges we face in our mission to provide a safe and loving home for animals who have nowhere else to turn. Your support can make a real difference. A donation, no matter how small, will help us continue protecting our residents from this and other threats.
We urge the government to increase funding for research into this. In the meantime, we remain committed to doing everything we can to safeguard our animals. If you’d like to support us in this fight, please consider making a donation today. Every pound counts and will go directly towards keeping our beloved animals safe and well.
Thank you for standing with us and for caring about the welfare of the animals who rely on us. Together, we can make a difference.
Our next Open Day – with fun Dog Show – will be taking place on Sunday 6 July. Book your tickets online today. You can find details of all our events on our website, just visit the What’s On page.
Other Appeal
