The first case of Bluetongue in Northern Ireland this season has been confirmed on a farm in Kilkeel, County Down, with the virus detected in three sheep, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said.
Officials said there will be no additional movement restrictions or disease control zones because the virus has been present in Northern Ireland since November 2025. Bluetongue poses no risk to public health or food safety, Muir said.
The minister, Andrew Muir, described the discovery as “disappointing but not unexpected”, given the spread of the disease in Great Britain and Ireland. The Chief Veterinary Officer, Brian Dooher, urged farmers to be alert to any symptoms in their livestock.
The confirmation in Kilkeel follows more than 100 cases across the Republic of Ireland in recent months. In England, cases have been increasing, with 2,950 now confirmed; there have been 512 cases in Wales and 57 in Scotland.
“Continued vigilance and strict biosecurity measures remain of paramount importance and I would once again urge all farmers to report any suspicion of disease to Daera,” Muir said. He reiterated that milk and meat are safe to consume.
Dooher said suspected cases on farms should be reported to Daera, adding that “active surveillance is ongoing at abattoirs alongside post-import testing of susceptible animals imported from mainland EU countries”. He stressed “the importance of safe and responsible sourcing of animals”.
The disease was first detected in Northern Ireland near Bangor in County Down in November 2025, and a number of other herds along the eastern coast of Northern Ireland have been affected. Farmers have been urged to vaccinate their animals.
Bluetongue affects ruminants such as cattle, sheep, goats and deer. The mild winter means more of the biting midges that spread the disease are likely to have survived and become infectious this season.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- This is the first Bluetongue case of the season in Northern Ireland, signalling the virus's continued presence in local livestock.
- The disease can cause significant animal suffering and economic losses for farmers through reduced productivity, though it poses no threat to public health or food safety.
- The mild winter may have increased midge survival, potentially leading to more cases across the UK and Ireland in coming months.
Background
Bluetongue is a viral disease spread by biting midges, affecting cattle, sheep, goats and deer. It was first detected in Northern Ireland near Bangor in County Down in November 2025, and has since been found in several herds along the eastern coast. The virus has also spread widely in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, with the highest case numbers in England. There is no risk to humans or food safety. Vaccination is available and farmers have been urged to use it.
Key Perspectives
Andrew Muir (NI Agriculture Minister): Called the discovery “disappointing but not unexpected” given the spread in GB and Ireland, and stressed awareness, vigilance and biosecurity.
Brian Dooher (Chief Veterinary Officer): Urged farmers to report suspected cases, highlighted ongoing active surveillance and the importance of safe sourcing of animals.
What to Watch
- Whether further cases emerge in Northern Ireland as midge activity continues through the mild winter.
- Any escalation in case numbers across Great Britain and Ireland that could lead to stricter movement controls.
- Uptake of vaccination among farmers, which is currently voluntary but strongly recommended by officials.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedBluetongue virus was detected in sheep in County Down.BBC News: “The first case of Bluetongue in Northern Ireland this season has been confirmed on a farm in Kilkeel, County Down. Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said the virus had been detected in three sheep.”
- SupportedThe first case of Bluetongue in Northern Ireland this season was confirmed on a farm in Kilkeel.BBC News: “The first case of Bluetongue in Northern Ireland this season has been confirmed on a farm in Kilkeel, County Down.”
- SupportedThe virus was detected in three sheep.BBC News: “Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said the virus had been detected in three sheep.”
- SupportedThere will be no additional movement restrictions or disease control zones because the virus has been present in Northern Ireland since November 2025.BBC News: “There will be no additional movement restrictions or disease control zones, because the virus has been present in Northern Ireland since November 2025.”
- SupportedMuir described the discovery as “disappointing but not unexpected”.BBC News: “The minister, Andrew Muir, said the discovery of the virus was "disappointing but not unexpected", given the spread of the disease in Great Britain and Ireland.”
- SupportedMuir said: “Continued vigilance and strict biosecurity measures remain of paramount importance and I would once again urge all farmers to report any suspicion of disease to Daera.”BBC News: “"Continued vigilance and strict biosecurity measures remain of paramount importance and I would once again urge all farmers to report any suspicion of disease to Daera.”
- SupportedDooher said: “Active surveillance is ongoing at abattoirs alongside post-import testing of susceptible animals imported from mainland EU countries”.BBC News: “"Active surveillance is ongoing at abattoirs alongside post-import testing of susceptible animals imported from mainland EU countries.”
- SupportedDooher stressed “the importance of safe and responsible sourcing of animals”.BBC News: “"I also want to stress the importance of safe and responsible sourcing of animals."”
- SupportedMuir said bluetongue poses no risk to public health or food safety.BBC News: “"It is important that I reiterate that Bluetongue poses no threat to public health nor to food safety – milk and meat are safe to consume."”
- SupportedMore than 100 cases have been reported across the Republic of Ireland in recent months.BBC News: “The confirmation of the virus in Kilkeel comes after more than 100 cases across the Republic of Ireland in recent months.”
- SupportedThere were 2,950 confirmed cases in England.BBC News: “Cases in England have been increasing, with 2,950 now confirmed.”
- SupportedThere were 512 confirmed cases in Wales.BBC News: “There have been 512 cases in Wales and 57 in Scotland.”
