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Authorities have established a 20-kilometre Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) on the island of Ireland following the discovery of the first suspected case of bluetongue virus (BTV-3). The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) reported that surveillance efforts identified the virus in two cattle located at a farm near Bangor, County Down. Bluetongue, which is transmitted by midges, does not pose a risk to human health or food safety, but it can have severe effects on animals with cloven hooves, including sheep and cattle.
The TCZ was implemented from 9:00 pm BST on Saturday, prompting Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir to describe the suspected cases as “of great concern.” He emphasized that although there was always a risk of bluetongue arriving in the region, particularly given its prevalence in Great Britain and across the European Union, steps must now be taken to protect local livestock and prevent further infection. “In the face of these suspected cases, my officials are taking all the necessary steps to protect the agri-food industry,” Muir said, urging those within the control zone to adhere strictly to movement restrictions.
Restrictions prohibit the transportation of susceptible animals on or off affected premises within the TCZ, pending further veterinary investigations. However, a general license permits animals to be moved directly to slaughterhouses across the designated boundary. The minister highlighted his collaboration with stakeholders on both sides of the Irish border to manage the situation effectively, stressing the importance of cooperation in limiting the disease’s spread.
Bluetongue virus affects various animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, deer, and camelids including llamas and alpacas. Symptoms include ulcers around the mouth and face, breathing difficulties, fever, lameness, and in some cases, fetal deformities or stillbirths. The most recent outbreak began in the Netherlands in 2023 where tens of thousands of sheep perished, with midges carrying the virus reaching southern England as well. The severity of infections varies, with some animals showing only mild symptoms and recovering. Daera’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Brian Dooher, cautioned livestock owners to source animals carefully and stay alert for signs of illness.
In response to the development, the agriculture minister of the Republic of Ireland, Martin Heydon, expressed sympathy for the affected farm family and acknowledged the negative implications of a bluetongue outbreak in Northern Ireland. He pointed out that once the disease establishes itself in any part of the island, it becomes easier to spread, posing risks to animal welfare and causing financial and emotional strain for farmers. Heydon confirmed plans to work closely with Minister Muir, emphasizing a collaborative and supportive approach to disease control across the border.
The situation has been analyzed by BBC News NI’s Agriculture and Environment Correspondent Louise Cullen, who noted that bluetongue virus is part of a broader “triple threat” facing the agri-food sector, as highlighted by the agriculture minister earlier in the year. While the disease does not impact people or food safety, it poses significant challenges for livestock health and rural economies. Vaccinations against BTV-3 have been authorized since summer, with veterinarians warning an outbreak was likely. Current hopes hinge on strict movement controls and colder weather slowing the virus’s spread, although the recent detection adds pressure to a sector already grappling with rising costs, policy changes, and other disease threats
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