Norfolk and Suffolk made ‘restricted zones’ to prevent spread of bluetongue virus

Restricted zones have been put in place covering Norfolk and Suffolk after several cases of bluetongue virus were confirmed.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed the move from a temporary control zone to a fully restrictive zone last week after officers found cases of BTV-3 at five premises.

The UK’s chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said the restriction across the two counties was to mitigate the risk of further cases spreading.

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

“Farmers are urged not to move animals within the zone unless it is absolutely necessary.

“We have not taken this action lightly and we are clear that farmers and their vets must remain vigilant and report any suspicions to the Animal and Plant Health Agency immediately.”

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

The impact 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. In the most severe cases, it can be fatal for infected animals.

It does not affect people, and meat and milk from infected animals is safe to consume.

All infected premises have been placed under restriction and susceptible animals can only be moved under licence from infected premises.

Essential moves of susceptible animals can take place without a licence within the restricted zone but cannot be moved out without a specific licence. A general licence to move animals to designated abattoirs is also available.

Farmers are being asked to be vigilant as surveillance is under way by Defra to understand if the virus is currently circulating in the UK and the extent of any undisclosed disease.

Given the current temperatures and midge activity, which spread the disease, there is a high risk of onward spread in the UK.

A Defra spokesman added: “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.”