Bluetongue discovered at farm near Worcester

BLUETONGUE virus has been found in imported cows on a premises near Worcester.

The 20 animals originated from within a Protection Zone in the Netherlands and were detected through Defra's routine post-import testing carried out on all Bluetongue susceptible animals entering the UK.

The farm near Worcester has been placed under restrictions, and the animals will be culled as they potentially provide a source of infection for the local midge population, and therefore other animals.

Worcestershire is within the current Bluetongue Surveillance Zone. The affected farm has not been named.