Farmers face a new threat with the discovery last night of the first case of bluetongue disease in Britain.

The virus, which affects sheep and cows but has not so far posed a threat to humans, was discovered in a cow near Ipswich, Suffolk, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.

Restrictions have been placed on animal movements from the farm and the cow is expected to be culled today.

If the disease is shown to have spread, a 20 kilometre control zone will be placed around the farm banning the movement of livestock in or out of the area.

The disease, which is carried by midges, has been gradually spreading north from the Mediterranean. Signs of infection are high fever and swelling of the face and tongue, which takes on a blue appearance.

It can be fatal to livestock, but farmers also fear the economic consequences of quarantine zones and restrictions on animal movements that may follow if the disease is found to be spreading.

In the past year cases of bluetongue have been found in Holland, Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg and traffic through the ferry port of Harwich will come under suspicion.

Fred Landeg, the deputy chief vet, said infected midges may have been blown across the sea.

In Holland the government banned all export of live sheep, cattle and goats. Farmers within a 170km exclusion zone were ordered to spray insecticide on their land.

A Defra spokesman said of the British case: “This is not a confirmed outbreak unless further investigation demonstrates the disease is circulating.”

David Abbey, 73, owner of 250 sheep at New Barns Farm, in Harlow, Essex, said: “This could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. It is another piece of very bad news for farmers.”

Geoffrey Copas, who part owns Copas Farms in Cookham Dean, Berkshire, said: “I have been aware of its spread through Europe, and feared it was only a matter of time.

“The real problem lies in the restriction of movement following a case of bluetongue. An outbreak will cause huge financial burden.”

The prime minister held a conference call with Debby Reynolds, the chief veterinary officer, and Hilary Benn, the environment secretary when he was informed about the infection at the start of the Labour party conference in Bournmouth.

Earlier he had held an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss the latest case of foot and mouth, discovered on a farm on the Surrey-Berkshire border. Beaumont Farm lies close to Windsor Great Park, which is now closed to the public.

The government is considering the culling of millions of sheep trapped on hills by the livestock movement ban imposed after the recent foot and mouth outbreaks.

That could mean a return of the pyres of cremated animals seen in the 2001 outbreak.

Livestock virus spread by midges

What is bluetongue disease?
It is a virus transmitted by midges that affects sheep, cattle and other ruminants. It can take 20 days for symptoms to show and causes the tongue to swell, taking on a bluish appearance

How does it spread?
Midges are the main carrier and the biggest concern will be if it transfers to British insects. With global warming, infected midges have been spreading north from the Mediterranean

Is it as serious as foot and mouth?
No but a 20km restriction zone will be enforced around the farm affected if an outbreak is confirmed. Restrictions on animal movements will have economic repercussions for farmers

Can humans catch it?
Humans are not affected

What happens to animals?
It is fatal in up to 70% of sheep but infected animals are culled

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