*Bluetongue virus spreads to more Australian farms*

 From correspondents in Amsterdam

August 08, 2007 05:43am
Article from: Reuters

THE bluetongue virus, which affects sheep and cows, has spread to the
centre and east of the Netherlands, affecting 117 farms in those areas,
the Agriculture Ministry said overnight.

The disease, which causes fever and mouth ulcers and in some cases turns
the animal's tongue blue, broke out two weeks ago.

Bluetongue is transmitted by insects and can be highly dangerous to
sheep. It does not affect humans.

The spread of the virus means a total of about 440 Dutch farms have now
been affected. A ministry spokesman said transport restrictions and
limits on pesticide use had been extended to the newly affected areas.

Bluetongue occurs sporadically in Mediterranean countries but last year
there were also cases in northern Europe, including the Netherlands.