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Disease fight assembly 'priority' Disease fight assembly 'priority'
(about 1 hour later)
The Welsh Assembly Government has said its priority is to keep bluetongue out of Wales after an animal tested positive for the virus in Suffolk.The Welsh Assembly Government has said its priority is to keep bluetongue out of Wales after an animal tested positive for the virus in Suffolk.
Bluetongue disease has killed livestock across Europe and has now been found in the UK for the first time - in a cow.Bluetongue disease has killed livestock across Europe and has now been found in the UK for the first time - in a cow.
Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said the assembly government was working with Defra to monitor the situation.Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said the assembly government was working with Defra to monitor the situation.
"As with foot-and-mouth, our main priority is to keep this disease out of Wales," said the minister."As with foot-and-mouth, our main priority is to keep this disease out of Wales," said the minister.
"I urge farmers and all animal keepers to remain vigilant and alert to any signs of this disease and report any suspicions immediately to the local Animal Health office," Ms Jones added."I urge farmers and all animal keepers to remain vigilant and alert to any signs of this disease and report any suspicions immediately to the local Animal Health office," Ms Jones added.
There have been nearly 3,000 cases of bluetongue in Northern Europe since July, which had fuelled fears of its UK arrival.There have been nearly 3,000 cases of bluetongue in Northern Europe since July, which had fuelled fears of its UK arrival.
Cattle, sheep, goats and deer can be infected, but the insect-borne virus is not thought to pose a risk to humans.Cattle, sheep, goats and deer can be infected, but the insect-borne virus is not thought to pose a risk to humans.
We look to the State Veterinary Service to do all they can to keep this disease at bay Julian SalmonNational Farmers Union Q&A: Bluetongue diseaseWe look to the State Veterinary Service to do all they can to keep this disease at bay Julian SalmonNational Farmers Union Q&A: Bluetongue disease
The discovery of the first UK case near Ipswich on Saturday comes as the industry struggles to deal with the restrictions still in force due to the foot-and-mouth outbreaks in Surrey.The discovery of the first UK case near Ipswich on Saturday comes as the industry struggles to deal with the restrictions still in force due to the foot-and-mouth outbreaks in Surrey.
Malcolm Thomas, director of the National Farmers Union (NFU) Cymru said: "The agriculture industry needs this like a hole in the head.
"But we are determined to eradicate not only this outbreak, but also the foot-and-mouth out break as soon as we possibly can."
The Country Landowners Association Wales (CLA) said the discovery of bluetongue presented the livestock industry with yet "another potential disaster".The Country Landowners Association Wales (CLA) said the discovery of bluetongue presented the livestock industry with yet "another potential disaster".
Director Julian Salmon, who farms in Presteigne, Powys, is calling for animals to be vaccinated and called on farmers to be "extra vigilant".Director Julian Salmon, who farms in Presteigne, Powys, is calling for animals to be vaccinated and called on farmers to be "extra vigilant".
"We look to the State Veterinary Service to do all they can to keep this disease at bay and to minimise the effects on a livestock industry already reeling from the impact of the foot and mouth restrictions", he added."We look to the State Veterinary Service to do all they can to keep this disease at bay and to minimise the effects on a livestock industry already reeling from the impact of the foot and mouth restrictions", he added.
"Above all, the farming industry needs to know that the consumer is supporting them."Above all, the farming industry needs to know that the consumer is supporting them.
Spread northwardsSpread northwards
"I do hope that a hard winter and the traditional westerly airflow keeps the midges which carry this disease away from the western livestock areas of Britain.""I do hope that a hard winter and the traditional westerly airflow keeps the midges which carry this disease away from the western livestock areas of Britain."
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.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.The virus has long blighted Africa, but in recent years has begun to spread northwards into Europe.
Some scientists believe that climate change could be behind its spread, as warmer temperatures have seen the biting insects gradually move north.Some scientists believe that climate change could be behind its spread, as warmer temperatures have seen the biting insects gradually move north.
Officials warned last month that the UK was at risk from bluetongue after outbreaks in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany.Officials warned last month that the UK was at risk from bluetongue after outbreaks in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany.
Animals with the disease experience discomfort, with flu-like symptoms, and swelling and haemorrhaging in and around the mouth and nose.Animals with the disease experience discomfort, with flu-like symptoms, and swelling and haemorrhaging in and around the mouth and nose.
They can also go lame and have difficulty eating properly.They can also go lame and have difficulty eating properly.