Eastbourne Borough Council
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Bluetongue Disease

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Find out about Bluetongue Disease and where to get the latest updates on the 2007 outbreak.

 

Bluetongue is a disease of animals affecting all ruminants (including sheep, cattle, deer and goats) but not pigs, horses or dogs. It is caused by a virus spread by midges.

 

There is no risk to human health - the disease does not affect humans and there is no safety risk from food. Bluetongue is an animal disease and not a public health issue.

Latest Updates on 2007 Outbreak

Bluetongue disease is circulating between the local animal and midge population in East Anglia. The first case was detected on 22 September 2007. The disease has now spread to other parts of South East England.

 

The whole of East Sussex is included in the Protection Zone covering much of South East England. 

 

For the latest updates on the current situation, go to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) website, or telephone the DEFRA helpline on 08459 33 55 77.

 

The DEFRA website has:

 

  • Advice for the public, farmers and landowners

  • Interactive map of the Surveillance and Protection Zones

  • Latest news releases

  • About the disease and what the government is doing

  • Leaflets and Factsheets to download

Eastbourne Borough Council, Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 4UG.    Telephone: 01323 410000