Animal movements restricted over deadly virus

Restrictions on the movement of sheep and cattle have been introduced across two counties after more animals tested positive for the bluetongue virus.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) said a restricted zone was now in place around Norfolk and Suffolk.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said officials were trying to get a balance between not further spreading the virus and allowing farmers to manage their businesses.

Defra said keepers of cattle, sheep, camelids, including llamas and alpacas, and other ruminants must remain vigilant and follow the restrictions applying to animal movements.

Dr Christine Middlemiss had warned about "thousands of cases" in The Netherlands and was concerned the infected midges might blow over to England

Dr Middlemiss said: "Farmers are urged not to move animals within the zone unless it is absolutely necessary.

"This means all keepers in these regions must urgently act now to both prevent the disease spreading to their herds and any further."

She has asked livestock keepers to have their animals sampled, adding "this will inform our subsequent control actions".

"We are trying to get a balance between stopping the spread of the virus and not putting lots of restrictions in place that make it rally difficult for farmers to manage their businesses," she said.

In addition, she is in discussions about the emergency use of a bluetongue vaccine.

Dr Middlemiss said: "It wouldn't have had the full safety and efficacy studies that are normally required, but in the face of an infection, and we do know quite a lot about this vaccination, we may decide it should be put on the market for people to use in certain circumstances to protect their livestock."

'Notifiable disease'

Bluetongue is spread by the bites of midges and can cause infertility and breathing problems in sheep, cattle and goats, but does not affect people or food safety.

The virus was first detected at a farm close to Haddiscoe, near Beccles, on Monday, and a 20km (12.4 mile) temporary control zone (TCZ) put into place.

The TCZ was extended on Wednesday after more cases were found, but by Friday animals were testing positive for the virus in both counties.

A Defra statement said: "We are committed to working with everyone affected to help them protect their animals and those of neighbouring farmers, and we will keep the size and nature of the zone under constant review as our understanding of the disease picture develops.

"Bluetongue virus is a notifiable disease. Suspicion of bluetongue virus in animals in England must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency."

Last winter, a similar TCZ was in force around a farm in the Norfolk town of Acle after a number of animals tested positive. Restrictions were lifted in February.

Between November and March there were 126 bluetongue cases across four counties in England.

They included 119 cases in cattle and seven in sheep. Defra said the disease could prove fatal for infected animals "in the most severe cases".