The risk of a bluetongue virus incursion into the UK population is low, the latest report from DEFRA states. The low risk level reflects the low levels of infection in northern France.

Since DEFRA’s last update in July, France has reported 474 BTV-8 positive cases, the peak of reports was made in October. There has been no expansion of the surveillance zone and no new cases have been reported from near the French northern coast.

Scottish authorities identified the disease in 10 imported cattle from France last month.