A Kent-wide restriction on the movement of farm animals after a rise in cases of an infectious disease has now been extended to cover the whole of the south-east.

As of yesterday (September 22), the UK has a total of 95 cases of bluetongue - a viral disease which can cause infertility and breathing problems in cattle, sheep, goats or deer.

In its latest update, Defra said existing bluetongue restriction zones have now been “merged and extended” after more cases were identified on the edge of the restricted zone.

The new restricted zone covers all Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, all Greater London, Surrey and West Sussex.

The zone rules mean susceptible animals cannot be moved out of the zone without a specific licence while keepers in the area will need to follow strict guidelines on animal movements.

The extension comes after the UK CVO confirmed two new cases of BTV-3, following suspicions of clinical disease in sheep at a premises in East Sussex and East Yorkshire.

One further case was identified through tracing of animals from an affected farm to a premises in Cambridgeshire, while another case was identified through surveillance in Essex.

The virus is spread by midges that are often blown over from mainland Europe during spells of warm weather.

Bluetongue was found in five cows at two premises in Canterbury in November in the first cases countrywide before spreading to the Sandwich Bay area where a further three cows tested positive in December.

The disease does not pose a threat to humans or food.