September 27, 2007

Fourth case of Bluetongue disease found in England

A fourth animal in eastern England tested positive Wednesday (September 26) for Bluetongue on a third premises near Ipswich, Suffolk.

The UK's Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs said the animal will be culled.

Defra added that so far "there is not sufficient evidence to confirm an active outbreak of Bluetongue as it cannot yet be demonstrated that the disease is circulating."

Epidemiological investigations are in progress to determine if bluetongue disease is circulating in the UK, Defra added.

Sunday marked the first time the Bluetongue virus was ever recorded in the UK

Bluetongue is a disease of ruminant animals, including sheep, cattle, deer, camelids and goats. It doesn't affect humans.

Bluetongue is transmitted by the movement of midges or by movements of infected animals if they are subsequently bitten by midges, said Defra.