Bluetongue has now appeared in Sevenoaks and, as a result, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has extended the Bluetongue Control Zone in Kent and East Sussex.
The existing Control Zone in Essex and East Anglia will now merge with the Control Zone in Kent and East Sussex, to become one single Zone.
The Control Zone in Peterborough remains unchanged.
Bluetongue disease was first detected on 22 September, and, on 28 September, it was confirmed to be circulating between the local animal and midge populations in East Anglia.
The disease has now spread to other areas of South East England.
Facts about Bluetongue: (from the Animal Health website):
- Domestic and wild ruminants can be affected; for example, sheep, cattle, goats and deer
- Camelids can be affected; for example, llama and alpaca
- Sheep are most severely affected
- Cattle are infected more often than sheep, but they do not often show signs of the disease
- Humans are not affected
Clinical signs of Bluetongue in sheep: (from the Animal Health website):
- Eye and nasal discharges which becomes thick and crusty
- Drooling as a result of ulcerations in the mouth
- High body temperature
- Swelling of the mouth, head and neck
- Lameness with wasting of the muscles of the hind limb
- Haemorrhages into or under the skin
- Inflammation at the junction of the skin and the horn of the foot ? the coronary band
- Respiratory problems ? difficulty with breathing and nasal discharge
- A blue tongue is rarely a clinical sign of infection
- Fever
- Tiredness
Clinical signs of Bluetongue in cattle: (from the Animal Health website):
It is possible that cattle will show no signs of illness. However, clinical signs have included:
- Nasal discharge
- Swelling of the head and neck
- Conjunctivitis (red and runny eyes)
- Swelling inside and ulceration of the mouth
- Swollen teats
- Tiredness
- Saliva drooling out of the mouth
- Fever
For further information about the spread of Bluetongue, or the Control Zones, call the Defra helpline on 08459 33 55 77, or the Animal Health information line on 0844 8844 600.
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