<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0kpwpG_0vIK9T5B00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0kpwpG_0vIK9T5B00" width="1200" height="675" > Shaun Whitmore/BBC <figcaption>Restrictions on the movement of animals now cover three counties in the East of England </figcaption></figure> Restrictions on the movement of sheep and cattle have been extended after more animals tested positive for the deadly bluetongue virus. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said <a href="https://www.gov.uk/animal-disease-cases-england/bluetongue-near-haddiscoe-south-norfolk-norfolk-btd-2024-slash-92-tcz" rel="nofollow"> Essex had been added to the restricted zone </a> , which already included Norfolk and Suffolk. It said 27 animals on 10 premises had been infected and advised keepers of livestock including cattle, sheep, goats, deer, llamas and alpacas to remain vigilant. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> Bluetongue can cause infertility and breathing problems in some animals but does not affect people or food safety. Defra said it could prove fatal for infected animals "in the most severe cases". The virus is spread by the bites of midges that are often blown over from the continent during spells of warm weather. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0ogKT8_0vIK9T5B00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0ogKT8_0vIK9T5B00" width="976" height="549" > Getty Images <figcaption>Farmers wishing to move animals may need to apply for a specific licence </figcaption></figure> The virus was <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y5jn4pv87o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> first detected at a farm close to Haddiscoe </a> , near Beccles in Suffolk on 26 August, and a 20km (12.4 mile) temporary control zone was put in place. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> Restrictions were extended to the whole of Norfolk and Suffolk after more animals tested positive, and were extended further to include Essex on Monday. Defra said farmers should continue to monitor their animals frequently and to report "suspicion of disease" immediately. "Farmers can help minimise the risk of disease spread by not moving animals within the zone unless they really have to," a statement on its website said. "Given the current temperatures and midge activity, there is a high risk of onward spread in the UK." Last winter there were <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bluetongue-information-and-guidance-for-livestock-keepers#latest-sutuation" rel="nofollow"> 126 bluetongue cases in England </a> on 73 premises in four counties – none of which were in Essex. Follow Essex news on <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/curation/p0cjdqpb?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> BBC Sounds </a> , <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BBCEssex/" rel="nofollow"> Facebook </a> , <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bbcessex" rel="nofollow"> Instagram </a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCessex" rel="nofollow"> X </a> . <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><h2> More on this story </h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y5jn4pv87o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> Restrictions after deadly virus detected in sheep </a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clynv2gjmr3o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> Three more cases of bluetongue disease confirmed </a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1m07krzymro?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> 'Bluetongue stressful for all involved' - farmer </a></li></ul><h2> Related internet links </h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bluetongue-information-and-guidance-for-livestock-keepers#latest-sutuation" rel="nofollow"> Defra - Bluetongue </a></li></ul></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Restrictions extended as bluetongue virus spreads

Almost 30 animals on 10 premises across the East of England have now tested positive for the virus.

Restrictions extended as bluetongue virus spreads

Comments / 0