Additional cases of Bluetongue have been found following the ongoing rise in cases, numbers have increased to 44 individual cases on 24 different farm holdings.
Currently, a temporary control zone (TCZ) spreads throughout the Kent and Norfolk area to restrict the movement of the virus. The first outbreak began in November 2023, with the UK’s primary case in 2007.
READ MORE | 22 Bluetongue cases, no evidence of active circulation
Defra provided a recent update: “Following active surveillance in the Norfolk TCZ, 4 further cases of bluetongue in cattle have been identified on 2 new premises in the existing TCZ.
"All 4 animals will be humanely culled to minimise the risk of onward transmission. The TCZ is not being extended and movement restrictions continue to apply to cattle, sheep, camelids, and other ruminants in the zone.
READ MORE | Bluetongue confirmed in both cattle and sheep as cases rise
"This brings the total number of cases in England to 44 infected animals on 24 premises."
The bluetongue virus is transmitted via midge bites, typically mostly active in warmer periods from April to November, affecting cows, sheep, goats, and other camelids such as llamas.
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