Sussex placed in restricted zone amid bluetongue virus cases

Much of the east of England has been put under the zones amid rising cases of the virus, which can be fatal to livestock.

Bluetongue virus is primarily transmitted by midge bites and affects cattle, goats, sheep, goats, deer and camelids such as llamas and alpacas.

The impacts on susceptible animals can vary greatly, some show no clinical signs or effects at all while for others it can cause productivity issues such as reduced milk yield, while in the most severe cases can be fatal for infected animals.

Signs of bluetongue in cattle include:

• lethargy
• crusty erosions around the nostrils and muzzle
• redness of the mouth, eyes, nose
• reddening of the skin above the hoof
• nasal discharge
• reddening and erosions on the teats
• fever
• milk drop

The virus does not affect people and meat and milk from infected animals are safe to eat and drink, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said.

All keepers of cattle, sheep, other ruminants and camelids in the disease hotspots will need to follow strict restrictions on animal and germinal product movements.

All infected premises have been placed under restriction and susceptible animals can only be moved under licence from infected premises, the government has warned.

Much of the east of England is now under a restricted zone (Image: Defra)

Essential moves of susceptible animals (cattle, sheep, goats, deer and other ruminants and camelids including llamas and alpacas) can take place without a licence within the restricted zone but cannot be moved out of the zone without a specific licence. A general licence to move animals to designated abattoirs is also available.

Deputy UK Chief Veterinary Officer Ele Brown said: “As the number of bluetongue cases continues to rise in England and northern Europe, we are taking further action to extend the restriction zone to mitigate the spread of the disease.

“While we appreciate restrictions have an impact, it’s vital all farmers and keepers within bluetongue control zones adhere to the restrictions and only move animals when it’s absolutely essential to prevent the disease spreading to their herds.

“We are committed to working with everyone affected and urge people to report livestock they suspect have the disease. We will continue to keep control zones under review.”

Farmers can help minimise the risk of disease spread by not moving animals within the zone unless they really have to.

BTV is a notifiable disease. Suspicion of BTV in animals in England must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03000 200 301.