Bluetongue Virus
Bluetongue is a disease of animals affecting all ruminants, including sheep, cattle, deer, goats and camelids (camels, llamas, alpacas, guanaco and vicuña).
Although sheep are most severely affected, cattle are the main mammalian reservoir of the virus and are very important in the epidemiology of the disease. It is characterised by changes to the mucous linings of the mouth and nose and the coronary band of the foot. Bluetongue is present when it is confirmed by laboratory tests that the Bluetongue virus (BTV) is circulating in an area. Bluetongue does not affect humans. For further information on the virus and related matters follow the link below.
Foot and Mouth Disease
Although some distance from Suffolk, the Foot and Mouth outbreak in Surrey has led to national restrictions being put in place, for the latest information and guidance go to:
Avian flu
Avian flu affects birds. While it has transmitted to people who work in very close proximity to birds (such as poultry workers).
If you find one or more dead swans/wild fowl (ducks and geese), more than three dead birds of the same species or more than five dead birds of different species, in the same place, you should contact the Defra Helpline: 08459 335577. Currently the helpline is available Monday – Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday – Sunday 9am to 6pm. You will be asked for details of your finding and its location.
More information is available at:
Seasonal flu
Seasonal flu occurs in the UK population as a matter of course, usually two or three times a year, this is ‘ordinary’ flu.
Pandemic flu
Pandemic flu affecting humans occurs due to the emergence of a new flu virus which is markedly different from recently circulating strains. It could happen if :
- Avian flu combines with ‘ordinary’ flu; or
- the Avian flu virus mutates and you get a completely new flu strain that can be transmitted directly from one person to another.
It has not happened yet, but if it did, it would be a big problem. Few, if any, people will have any immunity to the new virus. This allows it to spread widely, easily and to cause more serious illness. Experts predict another pandemic will occur but cannot say exactly when. Each pandemic is different and, until the virus starts circulating, it is impossible to predict its full effects. The World Health Organisation is coordinating international efforts to identify and develop vaccines and treatments to reduce the effects of this illness, the hardest part in this process is that the exact science can only be achieved as the illness emerges, so understanding how virus mutate, and finding medicines that reduce their ability to reproduce and spread has and continues to be a key area of work. Absences from illness may be considerably higher than normal absence patterns, placing unusual demands on both local business's and public services abilities to provide their normal levels of service. Organisations should be developing business continuity plans to enable them selves to assess staff absences both directly and the organisations that support them, eg other suppliers, stock for production, looking at staff working from home, and so on. All authoritative sources, identify personal hygiene as being, whilst the most basic step in self help, one of the most effective barriers to transmission; clean hands regularly in hot fresh water with soap, clean surfaces as for hands, washing clothing at recommended temperatures with recommended detergent, have all been identified as simple but very effective steps in reducing the spread of the illness.
For further detailed information visit:
For more information contact:
David Bird
Local Emergency Planning Officer
Borough Offices
Angel Hill
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk IP33 1XB
Phone: 01284 757035
Email: david.bird@stedsbc.gov.uk
