There are “very serious” consequences for the agri-community in Northern Ireland if bluetongue virus gets hold, the agriculture minister has said.
spread by midges, bluetongue (BTV-3) poses no threat to the public or food safety but can affect cloven-hoofed animals like sheep and cattle.
The Department of Agriculture, Surroundings and Rural Affairs (Daera) confirmed its first case of the virus in Northern Ireland on Friday. The infected animal was on a premises near Newtownstewart, County Tyrone.
Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said the situation was being taken “extremely seriously”.
“If this gets hold, the consequences for our agri-community are very serious indeed,” he said.
“We’re talking about potential restrictions on movement, potential impacts on trade, and of course, the welfare of our animals.”
He said Daera was working to establish a protection and surveillance zone around the affected premises.
“It’s really important to have vigilance around this,” Mr Muir added.
“Farmers need to be aware of the clinical signs, report any suspicions immediately to Daera, and take all necessary biosecurity measures to protect their herds.”
Symptoms of bluetongue include fever, swelling of the face and tongue, and a bluish discolouration of the tongue – so the name.
The virus is not currently present in Northern Ireland, but has been circulating in Great Britain since 2023.
Daera is urging farmers to register their animals with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to help with surveillance efforts.
Bluetongue Virus Detected in Northern Ireland Cattle
A possible case of the bluetongue virus has been detected in cattle in Northern Ireland, prompting a 20km exclusion zone around affected farms.
Clandeboye Estate confirmed that a routine test revealed the possible presence of bluetongue antibodies in two former members of their herd. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (daera) was immediately notified and is working with veterinary teams to investigate further.
Authorities have stressed that the virus dose not affect humans and poses no risk to dairy products or general food safety. Clandeboye Estate stated they are committed to high standards of food production and animal welfare and will continue testing in the coming days.
A 20km temporary control zone has been put in place, encompassing areas including Bangor, Newtownards, Belfast, and Carrickfergus.
Bluetongue confirmed in Northern Ireland – farmers ‘very concerned’
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland has confirmed a case of bluetongue virus in a bovine animal.
This is the first confirmed case in Northern Ireland and comes after a similar outbreak in Great Britain.
William Irvine,from the Ulster Farmers’ Union,said that the vaccination has not been widely taken up by farmers and is “quite expensive”,but added that this is a “game changer now”.
“Now that it’s on the island of Ireland,they are very concerned,and I imagine they will be organising the availability of vaccines for their farmers,” he said.
Moves of species susceptible to bluetongue on or off premises within the Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) are prohibited while officials carry out further investigations.
A general license is available that allows animals to cross the boundary if they are going directly to slaughter.
‘Perhaps serious implications’
The Chair of Medicines at Veterinary Ireland Conor Geraghty told RTÉ that he’s concerned about bluetongue spreading to the Republic of Ireland.
“The theory is that if it’s not contained in Northern Ireland, it would spread during the fly season late next spring and early summer,” he said.
He added that the vaccine is not currently available in the Republic.
Getty ImagesThe latest outbreak began in the Netherlands in 2023, where tens of thousands of sheep died, and midges blown over from the continent began infecting livestock in the south-east of England.
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