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Bluetongue found in imported cows Bluetongue found in imported herd
(20 minutes later)
The bluetongue virus has been detected in 20 imported cows in Worcestershire.The bluetongue virus has been detected in 20 imported cows in Worcestershire.
The farm near Worcester has been placed under restrictions and the cows will be culled, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says.The farm near Worcester has been placed under restrictions and the cows will be culled, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says.
The virus was detected through routine testing of the cows, which were from a protection zone in the Netherlands.The virus was detected through routine testing of the cows, which were from a protection zone in the Netherlands.
Defra said that no extra exclusions were being put in place because there was no evidence that the virus is circulating in the area.Defra said that no extra exclusions were being put in place because there was no evidence that the virus is circulating in the area.
The farm is within the current bluetongue surveillance zone. 'Potential risks'
The farm is within the current bluetongue surveillance zone, which was extended into Worcestershire in October.
A Defra spokeswoman said it was "quite unusual" for new cases of bluetongue to be identified during the winter.A Defra spokeswoman said it was "quite unusual" for new cases of bluetongue to be identified during the winter.
She said: "The disease is spread by midges - not by animal-to-animal - and midge activity is less at this time of year.She said: "The disease is spread by midges - not by animal-to-animal - and midge activity is less at this time of year.
"Obviously we are looking into these cases and trying to find out how these animals got affected, but it is quite unusual.""Obviously we are looking into these cases and trying to find out how these animals got affected, but it is quite unusual."
Defra added that the decision not to extend the exclusion zones would be "kept under review" as the premises were investigated.
Fred Landeg, acting chief veterinary officer, said: "As with the case of bluetongue found in an imported animal in Middlesbrough last week, this re-emphasises the importance of livestock keepers carefully considering the potential risks to UK industry as a whole from importing animals from bluetongue restricted zones."
In the past year the virus has affected livestock across Germany, Belgium, France, Luxembourg and Holland.In the past year the virus has affected livestock across Germany, Belgium, France, Luxembourg and Holland.