Due to an outbreak of Bluetongue disease in Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and Belgium, the importation of live ruminants is currently being restricted.

The announcement was made by the Rural Affairs and the Environment Ministry through the International Animal Health and Welfare Division within the Veterinary Affairs and Fisheries Department.

Bluetongue disease, also known as catarrhal fever, is a non-contagious, arthropod-borne viral disease that affects both wild and domestic ruminants, especially sheep and cattle.

Symptoms include high fever, excessive salivation, swelling of the face and tongue and cyanosis of the tongue. Swelling of the lips and tongue gives the tongue its typical blue appearance, though this symptom is confined to a minority of animals.

There is no history of transmission to humans.

Further information may be obtained by contacting the Border Inspection Post Inspectorate Services on telephone number 2165-0393, fax 2136-0573.