Fourth bluetongue case confirmed in U.K.

The bluetongue disease has struck another U.K. farm, offering yet further evidence that the livestock disease is taking hold. The latest outbreak, the third in a row, was detected on a farm close to Baylham, near Ipswich, where the first two cases occurred. This third case is about fifty miles from the rare breeds farm, scene of the other cases. Pressure is now mounting on the government to declare the bluetongue infections as an official outbreak.

The first animal to fall victim to the disease in Britain was a Highland cow which tested positive at Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm on Saturday. Another cow at the Suffolk farm also developed the disease, which has been spread from continental Europe by midges. A third case was discovered in a cow fifty miles away in Lound, near Lowestoft, on Tuesday. The latest involves a farm believed to be in the Washbrook area a few miles south of Baylham. All four cattle have been culled.

The Indepndent’s Colin Brown writes that despite the growing death toll the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DERFA) said it is still not considered an outbreak because there is no evidence the infected midges are still circulating in the county. Tests are continuing to establish whether there are any signs of the disease spreading. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he would not ignore the plight of farming communities battling to cope with the threats of bluetongue and foot and mouth. His government will face a group claim for compensation from hundreds of farmers affected by the foot and mouth outbreak, the National Farmers’ Union said.

Lest we forget that the scare of foot-and-mouth disease is still very much with U.K. farmers, a new temporary control zone has 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 DERFA as “a precautionary measure” following possible clinical signs of the disease.