UK: Case of bluetongue in sheep brings total cases in England to 52

A case of bluetongue confirmed in a sheep has brought the total number of cases in England to 52 on 29 different premises. The case was confirmed near Aylesham within the existing temporary control zone (TCZ) in north-east Kent. This is only the third case of the disease to be confirmed in a sheep. The other cases have been confirmed in cattle. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the positive animal 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, deer, camelids and other ruminants in the zone,” the department said. “There is still no evidence that bluetongue virus is currently circulating in midges in Great Britain. Surveillance is ongoing.” Bluetongue Bluetongue virus (BTV) is mostly spread by certain species of biting midges. Advertisement Midges are infected with the virus when they bite an infected animal and the virus spreads when ...