The government has declared a 'restricted zone' encompassing all of East Yorkshire and parts of Lincolnshire due to the detection of additional bluetongue cases.

Defra’s latest update confirms the presence of more cases of bluetongue virus 'BTV-3' in livestock in these counties.

The previously established temporary control zone (TCZ) has been replaced by a stricter restricted zone, imposing tighter regulations on the movement of animals and germinal products for livestock owners.

Both counties have now been classified as 'high risk,' allowing farmers in the remaining parts of Lincolnshire, outside the restricted area, to access free testing.

Farmers within these zones are also eligible to vaccinate their animals under the new general licence approved earlier this month.

In other parts of the UK, the restricted zone in Kent has been expanded to include the entire county, East Sussex, and further areas of Greater London, following an increase in cases.

According to the latest data, 69 farms have been impacted by bluetongue since the first confirmed case of the summer in late August.

Bluetongue cases have now been confirmed in seven counties across England: East Yorkshire, East Sussex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Lincolnshire, and Kent.

Although eastern Greater London is within the restricted zone, no outbreaks have been confirmed in that region.

UK chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss stressed: "All keepers in these regions must urgently act now to both prevent the disease spreading to their herds and any further.”

Farmers are advised to avoid moving animals within the restricted zone unless absolutely necessary.

"We have not taken this action lightly and we are clear that farmers and their vets must remain vigilant and report any suspicions to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) immediately." she added.

This follows confirmation of the disease in a single sheep on a Norfolk farm in late August, marking the first UK case of bluetongue this summer.

Prior to this, in November 2023, the government identified the first bluetongue case in Britain since 2007.

The worsening situation has led the government to authorise the use of three bluetongue vaccines to help control the spread.

These vaccines are suppressive, meaning they reduce the clinical signs of the disease but do not prevent infection.

Bluetongue is a non-contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild ruminants, transmitted by biting midges.