GovWire

Epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) affects:

• cattle
• deer
• other ruminants (animals that chew cud, like goats and sheep)

The disease can cause large outbreaks in susceptible animals. This can result in trade and movement restrictions.

EHD does not affect people or food safety.

Current situation

Outbreaks of EHD in cattle have been reported for the first time in southern Europe in November 2022. It is not currently present in the UK.

How to spot EHD

You are only likely to see signs of EHD in severe infections. The main signs are:

• fever
• weakness
• lack of appetite
• more saliva than usual
• difficulty swallowing
• skin rash on the udder
• bleeding (skin and internal tissues)
• swollen red skin near hooves
• swollen lining of the mouth
• mouth ulcers
• difficulty breathing
• sudden death (particularly in deer)

Wild ruminants such as deer may also:

• have a swollen face
• have redness of the eyes and mouth
• have excessive bleeding (in diarrhoea and urine)
• be dehydrated

In some cases there are no obvious clinical signs that an animal is infected.

How EHD is spread

EHD is usually spread when midges that carry it bite susceptible animals and pass on the infection.

EHD could spread to the UK if infected midges are carried by the wind. The risk of this happening depends on:

• whether disease spreads to animals in nearby areas of Europe
• the presence of infected midges in nearby areas of Europe
• weather patterns

EHD could also spread to the UK if infected live animals, or their germinal products, are imported from countries where EHD is circulating.

Preventing and controlling EHD

There is no commercially available vaccine to protect against EHD.

You can help prevent EHD by practising strict biosecurity on your premises.

If you suspect an animal has EHD or any notifiable disease you must report it to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) by calling 03000 200 301. Following a report, APHAvets will investigate.

If EHD is confirmed, the outbreak will be controlled in line with the contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases.

Read about what happens when you report a notifiable disease in your animals.

Importing animals to Great Britain

Before importing cattle, deer and other ruminants to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) you should:

• get advice from your vet about the risks and the health status of animals
• check for current issues relating to animal imports
• consider asking the seller to test for EHD
• make sure the animals meet the health and test requirements inthe model health certificate

Find out how to:

• import live animals from the EU to Great Britain
• import live animals from non-EU countries to Great Britain