New bluetongue cases confirmed

Symptoms of bluetongue are generally worst in sheep

Bluetongue precautions have been extended after new cases were confirmed in Hertfordshire and Lincolnshire.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said there are 110 premises affected by bluetongue.

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 last September and restriction zones are now in place across much of England and Wales.

The Hertfordshire case means the protection zone has been extended further into Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

The Lincolnshire case, at Spilsby, means the protection zone will be extended into Norfolk and the surveillance zone further into North and West Yorkshire. Spilsby is within the existing surveillance zone.

Symptoms

Defra said 46 cases have been confirmed so far this year and seven animals are infected in the two new cases.

All ruminants, such as 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.

A 20km (12.4 miles) control zone is put in place around affected premises.

Ruminant animals can move within the zone, but not out of it, except to slaughter in the wider protection zone.

Farmers within the protection zone cannot transport livestock beyond the zone boundaries.