Two cases of bluetongue have been detected in livestock in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and Ashford, Kent, DEFRA has confirmed.

The cases would are the first outbreaks outside Suffolk and Essex although they do fall within the Protection Zone. 

The confirmation is likely to mean the extension of the Protection Zone into South Yorkshire, central Wales and parts of the South West.

At this point the DEFRA would have to give serious thought to making all of England and Wales a bluetongue protection zone.

The exact location of the case at Peterborough, Cambridgeshire is unknown, but the infected animal is believed to be a cow moved from a farm near to the first outbreak before being detected and the movement ban imposed. 

However, the investigaion will also consider the possibility that it may have been an infected midge that came across with the swarm that led to the first outbreak, Farmers Weekly has learnt. 

The second confirmed case is in sheep near Ashford, Kent.

Farmers Weekly contacted the farmer at Ashford for comment.

“I’ve been told to say ‘no comment’”, was the response.

Deputy chief veterinary officer Fred Landeg said:  "This is obviously unwelcome news for the farming industry, however, given the nature of this disease and its means of spread, this is not entirely unexpected. 

"We will carry out further investigations on these farms, and in the surrounding area to assess the disease situation and possible sources of incursion."