A fourth animal has tested positive for bluetongue on a third farm in the UK, the British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said today.
A cow on a farm near Ipswich, Suffolk, will be culled after testing positive for the disease, which is spread through biting insects.
A Defra spokesman said there was not yet enough evidence to confirm an active outbreak of bluetongue and tests are going on to see if the disease is circulating in the UK.
The latest case comes after vets confirmed bluetongue yesterday in a Holstein cow on a farm in Lound – 50 miles from Baylham, where it was first detected in two animals.
A new temporary control zone has also been established round a premises near Maidenhead, Berkshire, on suspicion of foot and mouth.
The latest control zone, which is inside the existing surveillance zone, was described by Defra as “a precautionary measure” following possible clinical signs of the disease.