Farm closed by bluetongue virus outbreak in the UK in September 2007. This is Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm, where one of the first cases of bluetongue disease was found in the cattle. The farm is near Ipswich, Suffolk, England. Several other cases were found in the surrounding area. 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 the affected animals and impose exclusion, control and protection zones around the affected areas.