British farms are experiencing their worst bluetongue outbreak on record, with cases already exceeding the total from the previous three years combined, according to The Guardian.
Bluetongue is a viral disease affecting sheep, cattle and other livestock. Symptoms include fever, ulcers, swollen head and lameness. The tongue may turn blue and protrude from the mouth. Severe cases can be fatal.
The outbreak has spread as far north as Aberdeenshire in Scotland. The Guardian attributes the crisis to climate change, reporting that the virus originated in Africa.
The source material does not specify the exact number of cases, the timeframe of this outbreak, which regions are most affected beyond Aberdeenshire, what control measures farmers are implementing, or economic impact on the sector.