December 4, 2023

Bluetongue outbreak in Kent county, England prompts livestock movement restrictions

Restrictions have been implemented in Kent county, southeastern England, United Kingdom, following the discovery of five cases of bluetongue in cattle, BBC News reported.

The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) reported the virus's detection in a cow on a farm near Canterbury, leading to the establishment of a 10 km temporary control zone to regulate animal movements.

Defra announced four additional cows on two different farms within the zone had tested positive for the virus. To prevent the spread, the department plans to humanely cull the affected animals. Farmers within the control zone have the option to apply for licenses to move livestock in cases of specific welfare needs.

Bluetongue is a viral infection that affects cattle, sheep, goats, and deer, causing painful ulcers and swelling around the mouth and nostrils. The disease can result in breathing difficulties, lameness, infertility, and a decline in milk production. It is transmitted through the bites of midges, with the south and east of England deemed particularly susceptible due to winds carrying the insects across the Channel.

-      BBC News