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Bluetongue outbreak confirmed

Last Modified: 28 Sep 2007
By: Julian Rush

After a fifth case of bluetongue is found at an East Anglian farm, the UK's deputy chief vet confirms the disease is circulating Britain.

"This news is not unexpected, but it will still come as a bitter blow to farmers across a large swathe of eastern England, who now face the prospect of movement restrictions stretching on for many months into the future."
National Farmers' Union president Peter Kendall

The government has confirmed that the cases of bluetongue disease found in cattle in Suffolk are being treated as an outbreak.

A fifth case of the disease was confirmed in a cow near Burstall yesterday, close to the rare breeds farm where it was first confirmed a week ago.

Peter Kendall, National Farmers' Union president, said, "Bluetongue is a nasty disease, which represents a very real threat to the welfare of farm animals, as well as to the economics of livestock farming, so we have to do what we can, and what we are required to do by EU law, to seek to contain it."

"In the meantime it is important to remember Blue Tongue can not be contracted by humans so there are no food safety or health issues."
National Farmers' Union president Peter Kendall

No human risk

The deputy chief veterinary officer, Fred Landeg, said it was now clear that bluetongue, which is transmitted by midges, was circulating in Britain.

A 150-kilometre protection zone has been set up around infected premises.