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Bluetongue disease detected in UK | Bluetongue disease detected in UK |
(40 minutes later) | |
The first-ever case of Bluetongue disease in Britain has been found in a cow near Ipswich, Suffolk. | The first-ever case of Bluetongue disease in Britain has been found in a cow near Ipswich, Suffolk. |
Defra officials confirmed discovery of the insect-borne virus, which is usually found around the Mediterranean. | Defra officials confirmed discovery of the insect-borne virus, which is usually found around the Mediterranean. |
All ruminants, which include cattle, sheep, goats and deer, can be infected, but the viral infection is not thought to pose a risk to human health. | |
Since July there have been nearly 3,000 cases in Northern Europe, fuelling fears of its arrival in the UK. | |
It is transmitted by the Culicoides imicola midge. It is passed from animal to midge, and from midge to animal - it is not transmitted from animal to animal. | |
The virus has long blighted Africa, but in recent years has begun to spread northwards into Europe as the range of the biting insects has increased. | |
Some scientists believe that climate change could be behind its spread, as warmer temperatures have seen the midges gradually move north. | |
Farming under fire | |
Animals with the disease experience discomfort, with flu-like symptoms, swelling and haemorrhaging in and around the mouth and nose. They can also go lame and have difficulty eating properly. | |
There is no treatment once infectedThe news comes as the farming industry has been struggling with movement and export restrictions imposed due to the foot-and-mouth outbreaks in Surrey. | |
The farming ministry Defra said bluetongue was a different infection to foot-and-mouth and so efforts to contain it were also different. Currently there is no vaccine for the strain of the disease that has hit Northern Europe. | |
Nor was it a confirmed outbreak unless further investigation found other cases. | |
Once infected, up to 70% of a flock of sheep can die from the virus. While infected animals can recover - and become immune - productivity is reduced with milk yields in dairy herds dropping by about 40%. |