Bluetongue disease control measures (chained farm gate) during the outbreak in the UK in September 2007. The outbreak occurred in Suffolk and the surrounding areas in East Anglia. These are the first ever cases of bluetongue disease in the UK. The bluetongue virus, spread by midges, has moved northwards from Africa into Europe. It affects ruminants such as sheep, cattle, deer and goats. The mortality rate is high in sheep, but lower in other animals. The initial response was to slaughter infected animals and impose exclusion, control and protection zones around the affected areas, restricting the movements of farm animals. Photographed near Burstall, Suffolk, England.