New bluetongue case expands zone

A new case of bluetongue disease has been found in Surrey

The bluetongue protection zone has been extended into Hampshire after a new case was found in Surrey, Defra said.

The government's environment department said the disease was discovered at premises within the current zone as a result of pre-movement testing.

Defra said the protection zone had been expanded into Rushmoor district but the surveillance zone, which covers much of England, remained unchanged.

There are now 125 cases of bluetongue, 59 of which were identified this year.

Defra said the latest outbreak of the disease was identified 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.

Defra said the evidence suggested the animals were infected last year.

Bluetongue was first confirmed in the UK in East Anglia on 28 September. The virus is spread by midges and can be fatal to animals such as sheep and cows.