Bluetongue outbreak expands on farms

LONDON, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- British officials are working to contain an outbreak of bluetongue virus that has struck cows in three counties.

The most recent case was diagnosed in Suffolk, 50 miles way from where the first case of the midge-borne disease was found, The Times of London newspaper said Wednesday.

All movement between sheep and cattle farms in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex has been banned, the newspaper said.

Veterinary officials said the virus, which causes lesions on the infected animals, has no impact on human health.

Veterinarians said the lesions were not new, which means the virus may have come from an incursion of infected midges from northern Europe in early August.

The disease is rampant in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Luxembourg, the newspaper said.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International

NewsTrack: Bluetongue outbreak expands on farms