Trust plans mass vaccination to protect animals from virus

STOPPING SPREAD OF BLUETONGUE IN LIVESTOCK WILL COST THOUSANDS

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SHEEP and cattle which graze across the Kent countryside are being vaccinated against the potentially deadly bluetongue virus.

Kent Wildlife Trust says it will spend thousands of pounds to help prevent “devastating losses” to its livestock from the spread of the disease.

Kent is currently within a bluetongue restricted zone, with the Government's case map showing multiple outbreaks here since August of last year.

The trust says the vaccinations will ensure it can continue to deliver conservation and wilder grazing projects across its nature reserves.

Bluetongue is spread by midges, and has been compared to Covid-19 due to its flu and pneumonia like symptoms, with experts predicting 2025 will be a pivotal year in the disease becoming established in the UK.

However, the trust says its current high mortality rate is largely because it is a novel disease, and animals have not yet developed natural immunity.

The virus can affect cattle, sheep, goats, and deer, as well as camelids such as alpacas and llamas, but does not affect humans or food safety.