Sheep movement restricted in Norfolk and Suffolk amid bluetongue disease

The movement of sheep and cattle has been restricted in Norfolk and Suffolk after several confirmed cases of bluetongue disease.

A restricted zone has been put in place to “mitigate the risk of further cases of disease occurring”, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.

There are five cases of infected premises in the region, PA Media reported, while surveillance is under way to understand if the virus is now circulating. There is a “high risk of onward spread”, Defra said.

The UK’s chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, said: “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.”

All keepers of cattle, sheep, other ruminants and camelids, including llamas and alpacas, in Norfolk and Suffolk will need to follow strict restrictions on animal and germinal product movements.

Infected premises have been placed under restriction and susceptible animals can only be moved under licence.

Tom Bradshaw, the president of NFU, said: “We urge all livestock keepers to remain vigilant for any signs of clinical disease and to report any concerns quickly to their vet or APHA.

“It is crucial to understand whether BTV is circulating in the midge population in and around the temporary control zone, so that timely and well-targeted action can be taken to prevent the disease spread.”

Bluetongue is an animal disease that affects livestock including cattle and sheep, as well as goats, deer and llamas, with symptoms including a blue and swollen tongue, fever, reduced milk yield and, in the most severe cases, death. It does not affect humans or food safety.