PRAGUE, Sept. 6 -- Bluetongue disease has reappeared in the Czech Republic for the first time in 15 years, after an outbreak was reported in the country's western region.

The disease was confirmed in a dead ram at a farm in a village near the German border, the agriculture ministry said in a statement on Friday.

"There are currently more than 370 sheep, over 200 goats and some 130 cattle at the farm. All listed livestock species are susceptible to this infection," it said, adding that the disease is not transmissible to humans.

"As part of the measures, there is no need to euthanize animals in the focus," the statement said. "A zone with a radius of 150 km will be marked around the outbreak. Stricter movement rules will apply to animals from farms in this area. Breeders will be ordered to monitor the health status of animals and immediately report any changes to the relevant veterinary authorities."

According to the ministry, bluetongue is a viral disease which affects domestic and wild ruminants. It mainly affects sheep, goats and cattle and is transmitted by blood-sucking insects, specifically ticks.

Later on Friday, a second outbreak was reported at a farm in another village, about five kilometers from the first outbreak. Four sheep have been infected at the farm which has more than 160 sheep and 130 cattle.

  - Xinhua