A 10 kilometre control zone has been set up around a farm in Canterbury after a cow tested positive for bluetongue.

It means restrictions are now in place regarding the movement of cattle and sheep.

Bluetongue is a viral disease spread by insects and while sheep are most severely affected – cattle and goats can also become infected.

According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, signs of the disease in cows include lethargy, redness of the mouth, eyes and nose, fever and not eating.

This most recent case was detected during what has been described as ‘routine surveillance’.

The disease can spread to counties like Kent if infected midges are carried across the channel by the wind which puts the south east coast at higher risk.

It could also reach the UK if infected animals are imported and bluetongue has been reported in a number of European countries.

There is no specific treatment for animals found to have bluetongue other than rest and being well looked after.

Experts say it can not be passed to humans and meat and milk from infected animals are safe to eat and drink.