This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/7154032.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| '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. |