Entomology - continued

Bluetongue virus adversely affects sheep much more than cattle and other ruminants. Symptoms exhibited by experimentally infected sheep can be seen here.

We are doing extensive analyses of the Culicoides midge populations in the UK, including identifying the species and quantifying them.

Our modelling studies with Dr Simon Gubbins and meteorologist John Gloster of the Met Office led us to predict correctly that BTV-8-infected midges would be brought over the North Sea by easterly winds and that conditions in the UK were conducive to establishing of the disease.

We are continually monitoring midge numbers in order to detect when the adult midge population will increase in Spring 2008.

Similarly, we are continually monitoring the weather, as that too has a key role to play in the predicted re-emergence of the disease in 2008.