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Bluetongue disease detected in UK First UK case of bluetongue virus
(about 1 hour later)
The first-ever case of Bluetongue disease in Britain has been found in a cow near Ipswich, Suffolk. Bluetongue disease has been found in the UK for the first time - in a cow at a farm near Ipswich, Suffolk, government officials have said.
Defra officials confirmed discovery of the insect-borne virus, which is usually found around the Mediterranean. The insect-borne virus is usually found around the Mediterranean but nearly 3,000 Northern Europe cases since July had fuelled fears of its UK arrival.
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. Cattle, sheep, goats and deer can all be infected, but the viral infection is not thought to pose a risk to humans.
Since July there have been nearly 3,000 cases in Northern Europe, fuelling fears of its arrival in the UK. The find comes as foot-and-mouth disease continues to hit Surrey farms.
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. Bluetongue disease is transmitted by the Culicoides imicola midge.
It is passed from animal to midge, and from midge to animal, but 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.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.Some scientists believe that climate change could be behind its spread, as warmer temperatures have seen the midges gradually move north.
Farming under fireFarming 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. Animals with the disease experience discomfort, with flu-like symptoms, and swelling and haemorrhaging in and around the mouth and nose.
There is no treatment once infected"The premises where bluetongue has been found is under restrictions. One infected animal will be culled and epidemiological investigations are being carried out to assess the situation," said the farming ministry Defra in a statement. They can also go lame and have difficulty eating properly.
The news came as the farming industry has struggled with movement and export restrictions imposed due to the foot-and-mouth outbreaks in Surrey. On Saturday cattle on a fourth farm were slaughtered and the protection zone was extended after a further case was confirmed. There is no treatment once infected
Both the bluetongue infection, and efforts to contain it, were different from foot-and-mouth, the Defra statement said. "The premises where bluetongue has been found is under restrictions. One infected animal will be culled and epidemiological investigations are being carried out to assess the situation," said the Department for Environment, Food and Rural (Defra) in a statement.
The news comes as the farming industry struggles with movement and export restrictions imposed because of the foot-and-mouth outbreaks in Surrey.
On Saturday cattle on another farm - the sixth premises to test positive since the disease was first discovered in August and the fourth in the last 11 days - were slaughtered and the protection zone was extended.
Defra said that bluetongue disease was different from foot-and-mouth, but many of the precautions already in place may help to control its spread.
No vaccine is available currently for the strain of the disease that has hit Northern Europe, where export and animal movement bans have been imposed following outbreaks.No vaccine is available currently for the strain of the disease that has hit Northern Europe, where export and animal movement bans have been imposed following outbreaks.
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%.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%.
Close watch
Professor Hugh Pennington, a microbiologist, told the BBC that the wide-ranging zones restricting animal movements would have severe a economic impact on the farming industry.
"It would be very bad news if this virus got established here," he said.
Anthony Gibson, of the National Farmers Union, said he expected much of East Anglia and the East Midlands to be covered by a surveillance zone, "stretching out for 150km in every direction from the farm on which this animal has been identified".
In Scotland, where in July scientists began researching the midge population in response to the spread of the virus, the government urged farmers to watch for signs of the disease in their livestock.
"Bluetongue can have a significant effect on the livestock sector and our best defence is good biosecurity and vigilance for signs of disease," a spokesman said.