Bluetongue zone lifted will be lifted in Victoria, Australia - Cowsmo

Bluetongue zone lifted will be lifted in Victoria, Australia

The implications of the findings have been comprehensively reviewed with the conclusion that the temporary BTV zone can now be lifted. The decision follows extensive consideration by Victoria and the national Animal Health Committee, which comprises representatives from the Commonwealth and States and Territories.

The temporary zone was established after pre-export laboratory tests found that a number of dairy heifers on a property south of Echuca had been exposed to the virus.

Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Charles Milne, said that more than 2,500 dairy and beef cattle across 103 herds had been sampled in response to the detection, as well as other animals within a five-kilometre zone of where evidence of exposure to the virus was first found.

“Our investigation has shown that the animals that triggered the surveillance came from the recognised BTV transmission zone in New South Wales,” Dr Milne said.

“There is no current evidence of the virus circulating in the temporary precautionary zone, or presence of the insect that spreads it.

“The likelihood that bluetongue virus has become established in Victoria is low,” he said.

Victoria will continue to monitor for BTV using ‘sentinel’ herds and by increasing monitoring of the insect that is known to carry the virus.

The Australian Government will advise trading partners and exporters about the lifting of the zone.

 

Source: Post Online Media

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