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| Farmers 'hopeful' over bluetongue | Farmers 'hopeful' over bluetongue |
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| The family running a Suffolk farm hit by the UK's first case of bluetongue disease say they are "hopeful" about their future. | The family running a Suffolk farm hit by the UK's first case of bluetongue disease say they are "hopeful" about their future. |
| The insect-borne virus, which has killed livestock across Europe, was found in a Highland cow at the Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm, near Ipswich. | The insect-borne virus, which has killed livestock across Europe, was found in a Highland cow at the Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm, near Ipswich. |
| National Farmers' Union (NFU) president Peter Kendall said he was optimistic there would not be a major outbreak. | National Farmers' Union (NFU) president Peter Kendall said he was optimistic there would not be a major outbreak. |
| Separately, a suspected foot-and-mouth case is being checked in Hampshire. | |
| Officials confirmed on Sunday that a 3km temporary control zone was placed around a premises near Petersfield, Hampshire. | |
| Experts have told the BBC the British climate may stop the bluetongue disease spreading. | |
| Sheep, cattle, goats and deer can be infected but humans are not at risk. | Sheep, cattle, goats and deer can be infected but humans are not at risk. |
| The affected farm is run by Richard, Ann and Neil Storer - as well as cattle, they have a collection of rare sheep, pygmy goats, chickens and pigs. | The affected farm is run by Richard, Ann and Neil Storer - as well as cattle, they have a collection of rare sheep, pygmy goats, chickens and pigs. |
| The only thing saving us from bluetongue is our climate Professor Peter Mertens The rise of bluetongue | The only thing saving us from bluetongue is our climate Professor Peter Mertens The rise of bluetongue |
| In a statement, the Storer family said: "We have lost Debbie, a Highland cow who was a great favourite with our regular visitors. | In a statement, the Storer family said: "We have lost Debbie, a Highland cow who was a great favourite with our regular visitors. |
| "However the future is hopeful and we are so grateful that we have not had to endure the terrible trauma that farmers in Surrey must be going through." | "However the future is hopeful and we are so grateful that we have not had to endure the terrible trauma that farmers in Surrey must be going through." |
| Further tests are being carried out at the farm to determine whether any more animals have been affected by the bluetongue disease. | Further tests are being carried out at the farm to determine whether any more animals have been affected by the bluetongue disease. |
| The family described the veterinary teams from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as "wonderful". | The family described the veterinary teams from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as "wonderful". |
| The infected cow's carcass has been removed from the farm. Tests on other livestock are being conducted. | The infected cow's carcass has been removed from the farm. Tests on other livestock are being conducted. |
| It would not be classed as an outbreak unless other cases were confirmed. | It would not be classed as an outbreak unless other cases were confirmed. |
| The bluetongue disease is not contagious but often leads to death in sheep. | The bluetongue disease is not contagious but often leads to death in sheep. |
| BLUETONGUE IN CATTLE DroolingSwelling of the head and neckConjunctivitisSwelling of the mouthSwollen teatsTiredness Q&A: Bluetongue disease | BLUETONGUE IN CATTLE DroolingSwelling of the head and neckConjunctivitisSwelling of the mouthSwollen teatsTiredness Q&A: Bluetongue disease |
| Animals with it experience discomfort, with flu-like symptoms, and swelling and haemorrhaging in and around the mouth and nose. | Animals with it 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. |
| There have been nearly 3,000 cases of bluetongue in Northern Europe - including the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany - since July, which had fuelled fears of its arrival in the UK. | There have been nearly 3,000 cases of bluetongue in Northern Europe - including the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany - since July, which had fuelled fears of its arrival in the UK. |
| Tests have shown the UK case is serotype eight - the same strain of the disease which has affected animals recently in Northern Europe. | Tests have shown the UK case is serotype eight - the same strain of the disease which has affected animals recently in Northern Europe. |
| Mr Kendall of the NFU said he was hopeful there would be no major outbreak of the disease. | Mr Kendall of the NFU said he was hopeful there would be no major outbreak of the disease. |
| "I'm optimistic this can be quite an isolated localised case and going into winter these midges aren't as active as they would have been if this had happened two or three months ago." | "I'm optimistic this can be quite an isolated localised case and going into winter these midges aren't as active as they would have been if this had happened two or three months ago." |
| Professor Peter Mertens of the Institute of Animal Health at Pirbright in Surrey has told the BBC that the midges may not be able to survive the British climate. | Professor Peter Mertens of the Institute of Animal Health at Pirbright in Surrey has told the BBC that the midges may not be able to survive the British climate. |
| "The only thing saving us from bluetongue is our climate. There is hope," he said. | "The only thing saving us from bluetongue is our climate. There is hope," he said. |
| "If we start having frost, it will kill off the majority of adult midges. A few good frosts will really bring the midge season to an end. When that happens it's the end of transmission." | "If we start having frost, it will kill off the majority of adult midges. A few good frosts will really bring the midge season to an end. When that happens it's the end of transmission." |
| Debby Reynolds, chief veterinary officer, said: "It remains vitally important that farmers maintain vigilance for this disease and report any suspect cases, particularly as clinical signs may be similar to foot-and-mouth disease." | Debby Reynolds, chief veterinary officer, said: "It remains vitally important that farmers maintain vigilance for this disease and report any suspect cases, particularly as clinical signs may be similar to foot-and-mouth disease." |
| Robin Richards, who owns the farm next to Baylham House, said he was braced for news his animals were infected. | Robin Richards, who owns the farm next to Baylham House, said he was braced for news his animals were infected. |
| "If he's got it I consider I must almost certainly have it because the midges must have come over our farm and that's how it spreads," he said. | "If he's got it I consider I must almost certainly have it because the midges must have come over our farm and that's how it spreads," he said. |
| He added his main concern was that the government would decide to cull livestock in the area. | He added his main concern was that the government would decide to cull livestock in the area. |
| If the virus has spread, Defra said it would impose a 20km (12.4m) control zone around the infected farm. | If the virus has spread, Defra said it would impose a 20km (12.4m) control zone around the infected farm. |
| On top of foot-and-mouth, it's another body blow to another already struggling industry Stephen RashSuffolk farmer Reaction to bluetongue case Farmer's diary | On top of foot-and-mouth, it's another body blow to another already struggling industry Stephen RashSuffolk farmer Reaction to bluetongue case Farmer's diary |
| There would also be a 150km (93.2m) surveillance zone. | There would also be a 150km (93.2m) surveillance zone. |
| Defra said it was not imposing any additional movement restrictions above those currently in force due to the foot-and-mouth outbreak. | Defra said it was not imposing any additional movement restrictions above those currently in force due to the foot-and-mouth outbreak. |
| The discovery of bluetongue disease came after another case of foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed in Surrey. | The discovery of bluetongue disease came after another case of foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed in Surrey. |
| On Saturday cattle on the sixth premises to test positive since the disease was first discovered in August - and the fourth in the past 11 days - were slaughtered and the protection zone extended. | On Saturday cattle on the sixth premises to test positive since the disease was first discovered in August - and the fourth in the past 11 days - were slaughtered and the protection zone extended. |
| Farming leaders said the discovery of bluetongue had come at a bad time for an industry already struggling with movement and export restrictions imposed because of foot-and-mouth. | Farming leaders said the discovery of bluetongue had come at a bad time for an industry already struggling with movement and export restrictions imposed because of foot-and-mouth. |
| The president of the British Veterinary Association, David Catlow, said he feared the disease could become prevalent in the UK. | The president of the British Veterinary Association, David Catlow, said he feared the disease could become prevalent in the UK. |
| "At the moment if this becomes established in the UK, as it seems to have become established in northern Europe, the only way we will really control it is when we have a vaccination, and that isn't yet available. | "At the moment if this becomes established in the UK, as it seems to have become established in northern Europe, the only way we will really control it is when we have a vaccination, and that isn't yet available. |
| The effects of bluetongue can be severe, but animals can recover | The effects of bluetongue can be severe, but animals can recover |
| "We're possibly a year away before the development of some new, inactivated vaccines that will be the way ultimately to control it." | "We're possibly a year away before the development of some new, inactivated vaccines that will be the way ultimately to control it." |
| Bluetongue disease is transmitted by midges, traditionally 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 midges, traditionally 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. |
| 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%. |
| Are you a farmer or resident living near the outbreak? What is your reaction to this story? Send us your comments by filling out the form below. | Are you a farmer or resident living near the outbreak? What is your reaction to this story? Send us your comments by filling out the form below. |