Bluetongue (blue tongue) has spread to the first sheep flocks in the UK and the virus has now been found in two flocks in Suffolk.

Previously circulating only in cattle in East Anglia, bluetongue virus is now present on a total of 36 farms and 60 infected animals have tested positive. 

The fact that the virus has spread to sheep is a worrying development, in that sheep are more susceptible to the virus and up to 70% of flocks can be wiped out when infected.

No sheep on the farms affected are reported to have died from the virus.

Movement restrictions were eased at midnight last night (14 October) to allow movements out of the bluetongue zone direct to slaughter.

While it is hoped that a cold winter would eradicate the disease-carrying midge, DEFRA vets have revealed that they expect the virus to continue into December, raising fears that it will continue to spread to areas with more intense sheep production.

Fred Landeg, deputy chief vet said: "We can expect to see more case before the end of the midge season.

"There are now 36 premises know to be infected, clustered around the Ipswich and Lowestoft area.

"Half of these have been reported by farmers are the othe half have been picked up by surveillance testing."

Last week the virus was also confirmed in Essex and DEFRA has ammended the bluetongue zone accordingly, click here for more details.

Meanwhile, it is reported that the first case of bluetongue has been confirmed in southern Denmark.

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