Alarming surge in bluetongue disease reported among UK sheep

Bluetongue is not necessarily fatal but makes sheep ill, presenting as high fever and swelling of the lips and tongue. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

There has been an alarming surge in the number of sheep affected by an outbreak of bluetongue in the UK, and farmers whose livestock are at risk are being urged to move them out of areas where midges are plentiful.

The viral disease, which does not necessarily kill sheep but makes them ill and can have a long recovery time, presents as high fever and swelling of the lips and tongue. The tongue may go blue and even protrude from the mouth.