Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Tick-Borne Encephalitis and Welfare

Louping ill virus transmitted by sheep ticks causes fatal encephalitis in sheep and red grouse, with vaccination and tick control being key welfare interventions.

Key Facts

Louping ill is a tick-borne flavivirus causing fatal encephalitis in sheep and grouse
Ixodes ricinus ticks transmit the virus during spring and autumn activity peaks
Clinical signs include ataxia, head tremor and recumbency before death
Vaccination of sheep reduces the reservoir available to infect grouse populations
Tick control through acaricide treatments reduces transmission pressure on susceptible animals

Welfare Considerations

Louping ill causes severe neurological suffering and death in affected animals. Vaccination is highly effective and welfare-positive. Integrated tick management protects both farm animal and wildlife welfare, as sheep act as amplifying hosts for ticks that infect red grouse.

What You Can Do

Advocate for louping ill vaccination programmes in high-risk upland areas
Support integrated tick management approaches that benefit both livestock and wildlife
Choose products from farms that demonstrate proactive tick-borne disease prevention