'Restricted zone' placed across counties after more cases of deadly Bluetongue disease found in animals
A restricted zone covering multiple counties has been extended after more cases of a deadly disease were found. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has placed a 'restricted zone' over all of the East of England and into the Midlands.
It comes after an increase in the number of Bluetongue virus cases being found in the UK. The virus - which affects cattle, goats, sheep, deer, llamas and alpacas - is primarily transmitted through midge bites and can be fatal in the most severe cases, although there is no risk to humans.
Meat and milk from infected animals remains safe to consume. Essex has previously been described as being at 'high risk' of the disease and Defra has since expanded their restricted zone to cover several English counties.
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The warning area now consists of the counties of East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey and Greater London. Nobody is allowed to move animals out of a restricted zone unless they are given permission.
Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief vetinary officer, previously explained the purpose of restricted zones. They 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 APHA immediately."
Some infected animals show 'no clinical signs or effects at all' while others see issues such as reduced milk yield, reports Birmingham Live.