New bluetongue case is confirmed

Symptoms of bluetongue are generally worst in sheep

Bluetongue precautions have been extended after a new case of the animal disease was confirmed in Hampshire.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the case in the New Forest means there are now 122 premises affected by bluetongue.

As a result the protection zone has been extended into Wiltshire and further into Hampshire.

The wider surveillance zone which covers much of England and Wales remains unchanged.

The virus is spread by a species of midge and can be fatal to animals such as sheep and cows.

The first case in the UK was detected near Ipswich, Suffolk, last September and 56 cases have been detected this year.

Low risk period

Defra said the latest outbreak of the disease was identified in cows as part of pre-movement testing required for moving livestock out of the zones during the "vector-free period" when risk of the disease spreading was low.

The vector-free period ended on 15 March and movement of susceptible animals out of the protection zone is not permitted.

A spokeswoman for Defra said the evidence suggested that the animals were infected with the disease last year.

The protection zone has now been extended into the districts and boroughs of Salisbury, Test Valley, Eastleigh, City of Southampton, Fareham and the Isle of Wight, Defra said.

Cattle, goats, deer and sheep are susceptible, although symptoms are generally most severe in sheep.

Signs of the disease vary according to species, but key indicators include a high fever, excessive salivation, swelling of the head and neck, lameness and sometimes discolouration of the tongue.