ANIMAL disease bluetongue has been identified in two cattle imported into North Yorkshire from France, officials said.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Pirbright Institute identified the virus in the animals when they were brought to North Yorkshire from central France, where bluetongue continues to slowly spread.

The disease, transmitted by midge bites, does not affect people or food safety, but can reduce milk yield and cause infertility in livestock such as cows, goats, sheep and llamas - and in severe cases, is fatal for infected animals.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said action was being taken to ensure the risk of the virus spreading is reduced, with movement restrictions on the affected premises.

The two affected cattle have been culled.

Following the successful interception of the infected animals, the UK remains officially bluetongue-free, the risk of the disease remains low and exports are not affected, officials said.

Deputy chief veterinary officer for the UK, Graeme Cooke, said: "Bluetongue does not pose a threat to human health or food safety, but the disease impacts farming, causing reduced milk yield in cows and infertility in sheep.

"This detection is an example of our robust disease surveillance procedures in action but must highlight to farmers the risks which come with bringing animals from disease-affected areas into their herds."

He said farmers must remain vigilant and report any suspicions to the APHA, and work with importers to make sure vaccination requirements are complied with and animals responsibly sourced.

Farmers are also being reminded that the disease remains a threat, despite it coming to the end of the March to October season when midges are most active.

The movement restrictions will stay in place for at least a few weeks until testing rules out spread by local midges, Defra said.

Department for Environment Information

How to spot bluetongue

APHA will investigate if you report that you suspect a case of bluetongue.

In sheep

In sheep the main signs of bluetongue are:

ulcers in the mouth

discharge of mucus and drooling from mouth and nose

swelling of the mouth, head and neck and the coronary band (where the skin of the leg meets the horn of the foot)

Other clinical signs include:

red skin as a result of blood collecting beneath the surface

fever

lameness

breathing problems

In cattle

Cattle are the main carriers of bluetongue. Infected cattle generally do not show any signs of the disease, but occasionally signs can include:

swelling and ulcers in the mouth

nasal discharge

red skin and eyes as a result of blood collecting beneath the surface

swollen teats

tiredness

Other animals rarely show signs of the disease.