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New case of bluetongue confirmed New case of bluetongue confirmed
(30 minutes later)
The first case of the bluetongue virus in the North East of England has been confirmed at a farm on Teesside.The first case of the bluetongue virus in the North East of England has been confirmed at a farm on Teesside.
The virus was detected in an imported cow near Middlesbrough, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.The virus was detected in an imported cow near Middlesbrough, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.
Further tests are being carried out and the infected animal is to be culled.Further tests are being carried out and the infected animal is to be culled.
The animal is from Lower Saxony, in Germany, and the virus was confirmed through post-import testing carried out on all animals entering the UK.The animal is from Lower Saxony, in Germany, and the virus was confirmed through post-import testing carried out on all animals entering the UK.
The cow is expected to be culled on Friday to avoid it being passed on to the local midge population, which spreads the disease. The cow is expected to be culled on Friday to avoid the disease being passed on to the local midge population.
There is no evidence that the virus is circulating in the area, and a protection zone restricting the movement of animals has not been put in place, Defra said.There is no evidence that the virus is circulating in the area, and a protection zone restricting the movement of animals has not been put in place, Defra said.
Fred Landeg, acting chief veterinary officer, said: "Importers need to carefully consider the potential risks to UK industry as a whole from importing animals from bluetongue restricted zones."Fred Landeg, acting chief veterinary officer, said: "Importers need to carefully consider the potential risks to UK industry as a whole from importing animals from bluetongue restricted zones."
The bluetongue outbreak was first detected in the UK in September at a farm near Ipswich in Suffolk, when two cows tested positive for the disease.
High fever
The virus has affected livestock across Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Holland in the past year.
A surveillance zone was established in Suffolk, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
A third case of bluetongue was confirmed later the same month at a second farm in Suffolk.
It is a non-contagious virus spread by a species of midge.
All ruminants, such as cattle, goats, deer and sheep, are susceptible, although symptoms are generally most severe in sheep.
Signs of the disease include a high fever, excessive salivation, swelling of the head and neck, lameness and sometimes discolouration of the tongue.
In some susceptible breeds of sheep, up to 70% of a flock can die from the virus.