PARIS (Thomson Financial) - The Bluetongue virus, which primarily affects sheep, is spreading across France with a total of 36 recorded cases, and the area in which the movement of live ruminants is restricted has been extended to cover 17 regional departments, announced the Ministry of Agriculture in a statement.
The ministry noted that, since it confirmed a first case of Bluetongue (BTV) on July 27, the situation has worsened in the North East of the country.
'The latest identified case at a farm in the Pas-de-Calais area has led the ministry to extend the restricted zone -- in place since the winter of 2006 -- to incorporate the Eure, Seine-Maritime and Oise regions, bringing the number of departments affected up to 17,' the ministry said.
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