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Bluetongue case in imported sheep Bluetongue case in imported sheep
(30 minutes later)
The first case of the animal disease bluetongue has been discovered in Wales, it has been confirmed.The first case of the animal disease bluetongue has been discovered in Wales, it has been confirmed.
An imported sheep has tested positive for the disease in the Llandysul area in Ceredigion.An imported sheep has tested positive for the disease in the Llandysul area in Ceredigion.
The sheep, which was imported from the Netherlands, tested positive for the virus following routine post import testing. The sheep, which was one of a group of 14 from the Netherlands, tested positive for the virus following routine post import testing.
The assembly government said it was an isolated case and it was not confirmed the disease is circulating in Wales.The assembly government said it was an isolated case and it was not confirmed the disease is circulating in Wales.
On Wednesday, parts of south east Wales and Powys became part of a surveillance zone after a case in Poole in Dorset. Chief veterinary officer Dr Christianne Glossop said: "There is nothing to suggest the virus is circulating in Wales and we remain free of the disease.
"A similar incident occurred in Scotland last year and they too remain disease free," said Dr Glossop.
We hope very much that we have caught this at an early stage and isolated the animal on this farm Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones
On Wednesday, parts of south east Wales and Powys were included in a surveillance zone after a case of bluetongue was confirmed in Poole in Dorset.
Dr Glossop said there would be no change to the zone following this latest cases.
Movement restrictions have been imposed on the Ceredigion farm and Wales' chief veterinary officer has ordered the immediate slaughter of the infected sheep.
The bluetongue virus is spread by a species of midge and can be fatal to animals such as sheep and cows.
Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones told BBC Radio Wales it was "very worrying" that an imported animal was carrying the disease but she stressed that it was an isolated case.
She said: "This is very much an isolated case. We hope very much that we have caught this at an early stage and isolated the animal on this farm."
She added: "Other than the restrictions on the farm itself, I don't foresee {more restrictions} at this time."
Dai Davies, NFU Cymru president, said the bluetongue case was the "last news" that farmers wanted to hear.
He added: "Anyone who is considering going to Europe to import an animal needs to reconsider."