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Third bluetongue case discovered Third bluetongue case discovered
(about 1 hour later)
A third animal has tested positive for bluetongue disease. A third animal has tested positive for bluetongue disease in Suffolk.
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 in Lound near Lowestoft, 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 at the farm in 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. More widespread
The latest farm to be hit by the virus is Beehive Farm, Jay Lane, owned by Ron Hill and about 50 miles away from the first outbreak.
Richard Storer, who owns the Baylam farm said he feared the virus was more widespread than farmers realised, because affected animals may not appear sick.
He said: "Worryingly, this means that there may well be animals elsewhere in East Anglia that have been bitten by midges, are now infected but are not showing any symptoms to alert their owners to the presence of the virus."
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.
Mr Hill, 57, said that one of his cattle had been confirmed by Defra as having the bluetongue disease and had been destroyed.
Asked about the rest of his livestock, he said: "I am trying to be optimistic. That's all I can say."
Bluetongue is common in Mediterranean countries and has steadily spread further north in Europe over the past year.
'Awful disease'
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 the animal may have had the disease for some time.Professor Peter Mertens, of the Institute of Animal Health at Pirbright in Surrey, said the animal may have had the disease for some time.
"We're pretty certain it's been infected for probably 11 to 11 days. This puts it sort of quite close to the other two animals on the first farm."We're pretty certain it's been infected for probably 11 to 11 days. This puts it sort of quite close to the other two animals on the first farm.
"This is an absolutely awful disease which is really quite difficult to get rid of."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."
This would give the authorities the opportunity to vaccinate before the midges return next year, he said.This would give the authorities the opportunity to vaccinate before the midges return next year, he said.
"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."
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."