Defra confirmed a total of five cows have been culled since November 11 after contracting bluetongue.
Farmers have been urged to remain extra vigilant after four additional cattle were diagnosed with bluetongue virus in Kent.
The first incident of bluetongue – an insect-borne viral disease – had been detected in one cow at a farm in Canterbury, Kent, on November 11.
Advice for farmers about the temporary Bluetongue control zone
Defra and APHA confirmed the cow had been culled with a 10km temporary control zone in operation around the affected farm to ‘restrict the movement of susceptible animals’.
Ms Middlemiss said the cattle would be culled to ‘reduce the risk of onward transmission’.
