Third case of Bluetongue confirmed in UK
A third animal has tested positive for bluetongue, a livestock virus which struck in Britain for the first time last week, British government vets said today.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs officials said the latest case had been confirmed on a farm near Lowestoft, Suffolk.
On Saturday, a cow tested positive for bluetongue on a farm at Baylham, Suffolk. On Monday a second cow at the same farm was also slaughtered after the virus was confirmed.
Bluetongue is common in Mediterranean countries and has spread across northern Europe over the past year.
Defra said there was still not enough evidence to confirm “an active outbreak” of the virus.
Experts say the disease is spread by midges and specialists think an insect may have been blown across the Channel by strong winds.
