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New bluetongue outbreak suspected New bluetongue cases confirmed
(about 2 hours later)
A possible new outbreak of the bluetongue virus is being investigated in Lincolnshire, rural affairs department Defra has said. Bluetongue precautions have been extended after new cases were confirmed in Hertfordshire and Lincolnshire.
Tests are being carried out on a suspect case at a farm in Spilsby. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said there are 110 premises affected by bluetongue.
Bluetongue is a non-contagious virus spread by a midge species, affecting ruminants including sheep and cattle. The virus is spread by a species of midge and can be fatal to animals such as sheep and cows.
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 and protection and surveillance zones are now in place across much of England and Wales.
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website, there were 108 premises affected by bluetongue as of 14 March. The Hertfordshire case means the protection zone has been extended further into Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
Protection and surveillance zones are in place across much of England, and Spilsby is within the existing surveillance zone. The Lincolnshire case, at Spilsby, means the protection zone will be extended into Norfolk and the surveillance zone further into North and West Yorkshire. Spilsby is within the existing surveillance zone.
There is also a restricted zone in Wales. Defra said 46 cases have been confirmed so far this year and seven animals are infected in the two new cases.
All ruminants, such as cattle, goats, deer and sheep, are susceptible, although symptoms are generally most severe in sheep.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. Signs of the disease vary according to species, but key indicators include a high fever, excessive salivation, swelling of the head and neck, lameness and sometimes discolouration of the tongue.