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| New bluetongue outbreak suspected | New bluetongue outbreak suspected |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A possible new outbreak of the bluetongue virus is being investigated in Lincolnshire, rural affirs department Defra has said. | |
| Tests are being carried out on a suspect case at a farm in Spilsby. | |
| Bluetongue is a non-contagious virus spread by a midge species, affecting ruminants including sheep and cattle. | Bluetongue is a non-contagious virus spread by a midge species, affecting ruminants including sheep and cattle. |
| The first case in the UK was detected last September. The disease spread to other parts of south-east England and restrictions remain in place. | The first case in the UK was detected last September. The disease spread to other parts of south-east England and restrictions remain in place. |
| According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website, there were 108 premises affected by bluetongue as of 14 March. | |
| Protection and surveillance zones are in place across much of England, and Spilsby is within the existing surveillance zone. | |
| There is also a restricted zone in Wales. | |
| All ruminants, such as cattle, goats, deer and sheep, are susceptible, although symptoms are generally most severe in sheep. | |
| Signs of the disease in species vary, but key indicators include a high fever, excessive salivation, swelling of the head and neck, lameness and sometimes discolouration of the tongue. |