Livestock

Bluetongue restricted zone extended to cover new areas

16th September 2024

After further cases of bluetongue serotype 3, Defra has extended the restricted zone to cover two additional areas.

The bluetongue restricted zone (RZ) has been expanded to cover part of Greater London East and part of Kent.

The zone also covers Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.

Defra has revoked the temporary control zone in Faversham, and the area is now part of the RZ.

All keepers of cattle, sheep, other ruminants and camelids in the RZ must follow strict restrictions on animal and germinal product movements.

New cases

Five new cases of BTV-3 were detected in cattle in Essex over the weekend (14-15^th September), through surveillance testing in the area.

Another case was confirmed in East Riding of Yorkshire, within the temporary control zone, as well as a case in a single sheep in Faversham, Kent.

There have now been 56 affected premises since 26^th August 2024.

Defra is advising keepers of cattle, sheep, camelids and other ruminants to remain vigilant and follow movement restrictions.

View the bluetongue interactive map for information on the latest situation.

Free testing remains available for animals moving from high-risk counties not covered by a bluetongue zone to elsewhere in Great Britain.

Defra also recently granted emergency use of three unauthorised vaccines in England, subject to licence.