Bluetongue detected in Suffolk
28 September
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are the Lead
Government Department on Animal Disease and Welfare
Defra has today confirmed that Bluetongue disease is circulating in East
Anglia. This follows further epidemiological investigations including
surveillance into the five cases identified so far in Suffolk, which has
led to the conclusion that the virus is circulating between the local
animal and midge population.
Bluetongue is a disease of ruminant animals, including cattle, sheep and
deer. In line with the UK Bluetongue Control Strategy and European
law, a 20km Control Zone is being put in place around the area
in East Anglia where cases have been identified to date. Ruminant animals
will be able to move within the Bluetongue Control Zone, but not out of it,
except to slaughter in the Bluetongue Protection Zone.
In addition, a 150km Bluetongue Protection Zone covering parts of the
counties from Lincolnshire to Sussex will be put in place. Ruminant
animals will be able to move within the Bluetongue Protection Zone but not
out of it.
These Bluetongue zones will replace the Bluetongue Temporary Control
Area set up on 25 September.
Foot and Mouth Disease controls remain firmly in place on all FMD
susceptible animals, including pigs, in the FMD Low Risk and Risk Areas.
This reflects our integrated approach to movement controls for both FMD and
Bluetongue. Further changes to movement controls, including movements from
the Bluetongue zones for slaughter will be assessed on the basis of risk.
In some areas, movements of susceptible animals will be subject to both
Bluetongue controls and FMD controls. Farmers must check that all licence
conditions are complied with before making arrangements to move animals.
Further information
