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| Third bluetongue case discovered | Third bluetongue case discovered |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A third animal has tested positive for bluetongue disease. | |
| The midge-borne virus was discovered on a premises near Lowestoft, Suffolk, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has confirmed. | The midge-borne virus was discovered on a premises near Lowestoft, Suffolk, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has confirmed. |
| The first two cases were found in cows at the Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm, near Ipswich. | The first two cases were found in cows at the Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm, near Ipswich. |
| The strain of the disease is the same as one that has devastated cattle and sheep across northern Europe but is not yet regarded by the UK as an outbreak. | The strain of the disease is the same as one that has devastated cattle and sheep across northern Europe but is not yet regarded by the UK as an outbreak. |
| On Saturday, a cow tested positive for bluetongue on a farm at Baylham and a second cow at the same farm was also slaughtered after the virus was confirmed on Monday. | On Saturday, a cow tested positive for bluetongue on a farm at Baylham and a second cow at the same farm was also slaughtered after the virus was confirmed on Monday. |
| Bluetongue is common in Mediterranean countries and has steadily spread further north in Europe over the past year. | Bluetongue is common in Mediterranean countries and has steadily spread further north in Europe over the past year. |
| Experts say the disease is spread by midges and some specialists think insects may have been blown across the Channel by strong winds. | Experts say the disease is spread by midges and some specialists think insects may have been blown across the Channel by strong winds. |
| The UK's chief veterinary officer, Debby Reynolds, said: "While foot-and-mouth disease and bluetongue are present in the country all animal keepers should proceed with caution." | The UK's chief veterinary officer, Debby Reynolds, said: "While foot-and-mouth disease and bluetongue are present in the country all animal keepers should proceed with caution." |
| Professor Peter Mertens of the Institute of Animal Health at Pirbright in Surrey said: "This is an absolutely awful disease which is really quite difficult to get rid of. | Professor Peter Mertens of the Institute of Animal Health at Pirbright in Surrey said: "This is an absolutely awful disease which is really quite difficult to get rid of. |
| "The only thing we can hope is that the temperature will drop very soon as we approach autumn and winter to the point where the disease cannot be transmitted, somewhere around 15 degrees. | "The only thing we can hope is that the temperature will drop very soon as we approach autumn and winter to the point where the disease cannot be transmitted, somewhere around 15 degrees. |
| "If that happens transmission will stop but the virus itself will not necessarily go away. | "If that happens transmission will stop but the virus itself will not necessarily go away. |
| "What it does do is give us the opportunity to vaccinate before the midges come back in May and June next year." | "What it does do is give us the opportunity to vaccinate before the midges come back in May and June next year." |
| A Defra spokesman said: "At this stage there is not sufficient evidence to confirm an active outbreak of bluetongue by the internationally recognised definition. | A Defra spokesman said: "At this stage there is not sufficient evidence to confirm an active outbreak of bluetongue by the internationally recognised definition. |
| "It cannot yet be demonstrated that the disease is circulating or alternatively is the result of a single incursion of infected midges from abroad." | "It cannot yet be demonstrated that the disease is circulating or alternatively is the result of a single incursion of infected midges from abroad." |