Brussels, 30/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - An outbreak of bluetongue was confirmed on Friday 27 July in cattle in the French Ardennes. France, which is the third EU country to be affected by the epizootic this year, notified the case to the European Commission and to the International Office of Epizootics (IOE). The fresh outbreak of the virus in Germany and Belgium had prompted France to adjust its surveillance mechanism on 20 July, stepping up measures for restricting cattle and sheep movements from the controlled areas (EUROPE 9473). Bluetongue is a viral disease passed on by a small fly and affects grazing herds. It is not transmissible to Man. The setting in place of controlled areas is intended to prevent the spread of this animal disease. (lc)