Bluetongue virus spreads to Norfolk and infects sheep for first time

The number of UK cases of bluetongue in cows has increased to 10 and the virus has spread to sheep for the first time in the current outbreak, it has emerged.

The virus has also spread beyond Kent, with the first cases in cattle in Norfolk, Defra said.

Ministers and the farming industry are keeping a close eye on the outbreak, which is the first in the UK in 16 years.

Bluetongue can be fatal in animals but does not affect humans.

A temporary control zone around the first farm to be hit by the virus near Canterbury, introduced in November, was extended earlier this week after the discovery of more cases, taking the total to seven.

Since then, a further case has been identified in a cow in Kent, one sheep, and two cattle in Norfolk, taking the total to 11.

A new six-mile wide control zone has been put in place around the farm near Broadland in Norfolk. All infected animals have been culled.

Inside the zone, cows cannot be moved from their farms unless under licence by a veterinary inspector, or if they are dairy cows and need to be taken to a milking parlour, but this must be by foot and the herd must be returned to their normal location immediately afterwards.

Anyone who breaches the terms of the control zone faces an unlimited fine or up to three months in prison.

In its latest situation update Defra said: “Following routine surveillance, a further two cases of bluetongue in cattle have been identified on a farm near Cantley, Broadland, Norfolk.

“A 10km temporary control zone (TCZ) has been declared around the premises and both animals will be humanely culled to minimise the risk of onward transmission. Movement restrictions apply to cattle, sheep and other ruminants.

“This brings the total number of cases to 11 on six different premises. There is currently no evidence that bluetongue virus is circulating in Great Britain. Surveillance is ongoing.”

Bluetongue is carried by midges and may have been brought into the country from the Continent.

The last time it was found in the UK was in 2007, when the then prime minister Gordon Brown convened an emergency Cobra meeting to assess the situation alongside further outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease.

Bluetongue affects cows, sheep, deer, goats and llamas but does not affect people or food safety.

However, prolonged outbreaks would lead to restrictions on animals and trade, potentially affecting the UK’s beef and dairy industries.

The National Farmers’ Union and the chief vet have urged farmers to be vigilant for symptoms of the disease.