Bluetongue control zone may be extended across NI, says minister

A Northern Ireland-wide exclusion zone may have to be considered if further cases of bluetongue virus (BTV) are found, Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has said.

On Friday, an additional 44 cases were confirmed in the same County Down herd where the first outbreak on the island of Ireland was discovered at the weekend and a 20km control zone is in place.

A Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) statement said testing on farms near where the outbreak occurred is continuing and movement restrictions remain.

Muir said he hoped no further cases would be found but that he "wouldn't be surprised" if more are detected as the virus is spread through midges.

"If there's further cases found outside the zone, then we'll respond to that, whether we extend the zone or make Northern Ireland one complete zone."

Muir told BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme on Thursday that 44 was a "very concerning number".

"The fact that we were able to find midges capable of spreading this disease outside of the shed where these animals are housed would indicate that this is in the midge population and there is a high likelihood that this could have spread," he said.

The minister is also due to update members of the agriculture committee at Stormont today.

Seven midge traps are being used across Northern Ireland as part of monitoring and surveillance of the virus.

One has also been set up at Clandeboye Estate in County Down, where more than 40 cows are suspected of having the virus.

Two confirmed cases were detected during routine surveillance at an abattoir last month.

Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Dr David Kyle told the Stormont committee meeting that there was "good" midge-modelling data showing high density plumes.

"The modelling is really interesting to see and it would show the plumes effect all along the eastern seaboard, from the south of Ireland all the way up," he said.

"So that's what leading us to this that this disease could be more prevalent out there than we are initially detecting.

"And that's what our surveillance is there to detect, how far it has spread."

Some species of biting midges are the most common source of bluetongue infection.

The agriculture minister earlier made clear that the department is taking various steps to try and help the situation.

"We've got increased surveillance at abattoirs. That's how we found these original cases, and that surveillance is continuing."

Muir also said that 20 large farms within the control zone are under surveillance as well as farms near the zone.

"There's traps been set in terms of the midge population in order for us to get an eyesight in terms of what's going on there," he added.

William Irvine, President of the Ulster Farmers Union, said that the department is progressing testing and it's "fairly likely" there will be more cases.

Mr Irvine advised any farmer with any concerns to "talk to their own private vet and get advice relevant to their own farm situation".

He explained that the disease was having a "major impact" on normal farm trade.

But he said that the work by the government has been positive.

"In this situation, the veterinary department and the minister are doing everything possible to address this effectively. They're engaging with all the stakeholders really well and taking the feedback," he said.

"We are all in a fast moving situation and basically learning more about this disease and the impacts everyday.

"I think at this moment, they're doing what can be done and what should be done."

Bluetongue virus affects cattle, goats, sheep, deer and camelids such as llamas and alpacas.

It can cause ulcers or sores around the animal's mouth and face, difficulties swallowing and breathing, fever and lameness, foetal deformities and stillbirths.

It is a notifiable disease so anyone suspecting their animals may have it must report it to a vet, local divisional veterinary office or to Daera directly.

The 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 too.

But the impact of BTV-3 seems to vary considerably across different regions, with some animals showing little sign of infection and managing to recover.