Northern Ireland is facing its first suspected case of bluetongue infection after routine surveillance detected the virus in two cows near Bangor, County Down.
The Department of Agriculture and Agriculture (DAERA) confirmed that tests showed the presence of the disease, prompting the immediate introduction of a 20km temporary restriction zone.
Movement of susceptible animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, deer and camels is currently prohibited in and out of the area pending further investigation.
Direct transfer to slaughter is still permitted under a general permit. Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said the development was “very concerning” and urged producers to fully comply with restrictions.
He said the risk of introduction had “always been” given bluetongue’s presence in the UK and EU, adding that the DAERA disease control framework, launched in June, had enabled a rapid response. He reassured the public that the virus does not pose a risk to human health or food safety.
Emphasizing that the protection of livestock currently relies heavily on the full cooperation of herders, the Minister said: “My staff is taking all necessary measures to protect the agri-food industry,” and appealed to those in the Temporary Management Area to comply with the measures in place. DAERA continues to investigate in conjunction with authorities in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Bluetongue is spread by biting midges and affects a variety of ruminants. Although the disease is harmless to humans, it can cause serious illness in livestock, with symptoms such as fever, swelling around the head, lesions in the mouth, lameness, and reduced milk production. Infection peaks between April and November, when midges are most active.
If the virus spreads, it could pose major economic and trade challenges for Northern Ireland. Export restrictions, movement controls and regionalization measures can particularly disrupt the sale of breeding animals. Widening spreads could pose risks to trade flows between Northern Ireland, the UK and the EU.
Chief veterinarian Brian Dooher said the virus was “unpredictable and can spread quickly” and urged farmers to source animals responsibly and remain vigilant for clinical signs.
He warned that bluetongue could have a significant impact on both livestock and the wider rural economy. Farmers are encouraged to immediately report any suspicious symptoms to their veterinarian, local veterinary office or the DAERA helpline.
The strain involved, BTV-3, was first detected in the Netherlands in September 2023 and has since spread to parts of Europe.
Earlier this summer, bluetang activity continued to increase across the UK, with more than 200 confirmed detections during this period.
In England, the majority of cases have been confirmed with BTV-3 as the predominant strain, with a small number of mixed strain findings and the first single case of BTV-8 since 2008.
Wales has also recorded several cases of BTV-3 in recent months, but surveillance in Scotland has so far found no evidence of the virus.
