Bluetongue spreads in Northern Ireland, farmers on alert
Northern Ireland has been battling bluetongue disease in recent weeks, with a new suspected case announced and a second control zone now in place. This comes after more than 40 suspected cases in early December.
Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) announced on 6 December the emergence of a new suspected Bluetongue case on a farm near Greyabbey in County Down.
On 3 December, preliminary results of testing carried out by Daera on a County Down herd, where 2 suspected cases of Bluetongue virus were identified and confirmed as BTV-3, have revealed suspected presence of the disease in a further 44 cattle.
This latest case on 6 December comes following the confirmation of the 44 confirmed cases near Bangor.
Greyabbey is situated within the 20km Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) established on 29 November around a holding near Bangor, where the Bluetongue BTV-3 virus was initially discovered, Daera added.
Daera minister Andrew Muir stated: “The emergence of this suspect case in the existing Temporary Control Zone is very disappointing, especially for the farmer concerned.”
Recent case and second control zone
The recent case of bluetongue was made during the surveillance testing of herds in the Temporary Control Zone previously established on 29 Saturday November. A second 20km TCZ has been introduced around the Greyabbey farm and effective since 18.00pm on 6 December.
“The decision to introduce a second TCZ is an essential measure. This suspect case serves as another reminder of why farmers need to be extra vigilant for clinical signs of Bluetongue in their flocks or herds,” Muir added.
Farmers to remain on high alert
Minister Muir said that vets are currently investigating further, and government officials will continue to work closely with stakeholders in the agri-food industry, as well as counterparts in the Irish, UK, Scottish and Welsh governments as a response to a rapidly evolving situation with bluetongue.
He added, “I urge farmers in the second TCZ to familiarise themselves with the animal movement restrictions that will operate in their area and to follow them closely.”
Bluetongue is primarily transmitted through biting midges and affects cattle, sheep, goats, deer, llamas and alpacas. Biting midges are most active in the region from April to November and the potential for spread depends on climatic conditions and wind patterns, according to Daera.
For more information: Department of Agriculture, Environmental and Rural Affairs (Daera)
