Investigations are ongoing in Wales after bluetongue was found in three sheep that were moved to Gwynedd from eastern England.

The Welsh Government has stated that ‘further investigations’ are underway at the farm where bluetongue was detected to assess whether additional measures are necessary.

Farmers in Wales are being urged to remain ‘vigilant for the disease and practice safe sourcing of livestock’.

Wales' deputy chief veterinary officer, Gavin Watkins, confirmed that the cases in Gwynedd involve animals that were ‘brought into Wales’.

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He added: “We will apply measures to stop disease spreading from these three sheep, and our aim remains to keep Wales free of bluetongue.

“It is important to talk to your vet, and practice safe sourcing of livestock to protect our herds and flocks and keep any further disease out of Wales.”

Watkins also urged all farmers and keepers of ruminants and camelids to ‘be vigilant for signs of bluetongue and report any suspected cases to APHA immediately’.

He said: “We have been raising awareness of the disease with vets and industry and appreciate their help in communicating the risks to animal keepers in Wales.”

Last week, the UK Government introduced additional measures to ‘mitigate’ the spread of the bluetongue virus (BTV-3), including expanding the restriction zone.

As more cases were found near the edge of existing restricted zones (RZs), two previous RZs were merged and extended, forming one large zone in eastern England, stretching from East Riding in Yorkshire to Kent.

Additionally, East Riding and Lincolnshire have been designated ‘high-risk counties’, allowing farmers to vaccinate their animals with the three unauthorised bluetongue (BTV-3) vaccines.

The new, larger RZ now includes all of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Greater London, Surrey, and West Sussex.