{"id":602963,"date":"2025-11-30T08:16:23","date_gmt":"2025-11-30T08:16:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/602963\/"},"modified":"2025-11-30T08:16:23","modified_gmt":"2025-11-30T08:16:23","slug":"first-suspected-bluetongue-outbreak-in-northern-ireland-under-investigation-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/602963\/","title":{"rendered":"First suspected bluetongue outbreak in Northern Ireland under investigation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The first suspected bluetongue virus outbreak in Northern Ireland is under investigation.<\/p>\n<p>The disease is believed to be affecting two cows near Bangor, Co Down.<\/p>\n<p>On Saturday the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) introduced a 20km temporary control zone (TCZ) and moving susceptible species in or out of it is now prohibited.<\/p>\n<p>A general licence is available that allows animals to cross the boundary if they are going directly to slaughter.<\/p>\n<p>Bluetongue is an animal disease that affects livestock including cattle and sheep, as well as goats, deer and llamas.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"525\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">DAERA vets are investigating the suspicion of Bluetongue virus at a holding near Bangor. More info: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/dXvlY84Q69\">https:\/\/t.co\/dXvlY84Q69<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/GfFqNTTH4o\">pic.twitter.com\/GfFqNTTH4o<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 DAERA (@daera_ni) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/daera_ni\/status\/1994889227805561282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">November 29, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Symptoms include a blue and swollen tongue, fever, reduced milk yield and, in the most severe cases, death.<\/p>\n<p>It does not affect humans or food safety and is primarily transmitted through midges.<\/p>\n<p>Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said all producers affected by the new control measures need to help limit the virus.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile there was always a potential for bluetongue to arrive here, given its prevalence in GB and the EU, we must now do all we can to protect our livestock and limit the spread of the disease,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat is why, as a result of the disease control framework for the virus we launched in June, Daera has moved rapidly to ensure disease control measures are put in place.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He added: \u201cMembers of the public should be reassured the virus does not have any impact on people or food safety.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn the face of these suspected cases, my officials are taking all the necessary steps to protect the agri-food industry.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI urge everyone in the industry to play their part as well and especially appeal to those in the temporary control cone to follow the restrictions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Irish Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon said: \u201cThe news of a suspect bluetongue outbreak in Northern Ireland is unwelcome.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy thoughts are first and foremost with the affected farm family, and those farmers in the locality who will be worried about their own herds now.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis development has potentially serious implications. If the disease becomes established in one part of the island, it will be that much easier for it to spread, with consequences for animal health and welfare, and financial and emotional stress for farmers. \u201d<\/p>\n<p>The suspected cases were detected by Daera\u2019s active surveillance for the disease.<\/p>\n<p>The first case of bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) in England since early March 2024 was confirmed in one sheep in Norfolk on August 26 that year, Daera said.<\/p>\n<p>There are now more than 260 premises affected in England, it added.<\/p>\n<p>The direct movement of all ruminants and camelids from Britain to Northern Ireland is suspended as a result.<\/p>\n<p>It can resume once the UK recovers its EU-recognised disease-free status for bluetongue.<\/p>\n<p>Daera\u2019s chief veterinary officer, Brian Dooher, said the virus \u201cis unpredictable and can spread rapidly through and between flocks and herds\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cColleagues have been preparing for a possible incursion of this disease and have been working closely with our colleagues in the Republic of Ireland to ensure a co-ordinated response in tackling any incursion,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI would urge all farmers to ensure they source their animals responsibly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe spread of bluetongue could have a significant impact on livestock and the rural economy. Furthermore, all livestock owners should remain vigilant for signs of the disease.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Symptoms must be reported immediately to a vet, local divisional veterinary office or the Daera helpline on 0300 200 7840.<\/p>\n<p>ADVERTISEMENT &#8211; CONTINUE READING BELOW<\/p>\n<p>ADVERTISEMENT &#8211; CONTINUE READING BELOW<\/p>\n<p>ADVERTISEMENT &#8211; CONTINUE READING BELOW<\/p>\n<p>ADVERTISEMENT &#8211; CONTINUE READING BELOW<\/p>\n<p>ADVERTISEMENT &#8211; CONTINUE READING BELOW<\/p>\n<p>ADVERTISEMENT &#8211; CONTINUE READING BELOW<\/p>\n<p>ADVERTISEMENT &#8211; CONTINUE READING BELOW<\/p>\n<p>ADVERTISEMENT &#8211; CONTINUE READING BELOW<\/p>\n<p>ADVERTISEMENT &#8211; CONTINUE READING BELOW<\/p>\n<p>          <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The first suspected bluetongue virus outbreak in Northern Ireland is under investigation. The disease is believed to be&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":602964,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5011],"tags":[3971,189039,1144,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-602963","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-northern-ireland","8":"tag-agriculture","9":"tag-bluetongue","10":"tag-northern-ireland","11":"tag-uk","12":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115637661657456759","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/602963","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=602963"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/602963\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/602964"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=602963"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=602963"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=602963"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}