Northern Ireland’s Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, has warned that the first case of bluetongue in Wales is “a stark reminder of the threat bluetongue presents”.
The Welsh Government has confirmed that bluetongue was detected in three sheep moved to Gwynedd from the east of England.
Minister Muir said confirmation of the first case of the virus in Wales underlines why farmers in Northern Ireland should “source animals responsibly”.
The minister said:” One of the main risks of Bluetongue entering Northern Ireland is from importing infected animals.
“Bluetongue does not affect human health or food safety however an incursion to Northern Ireland would have a significant impact on livestock and the rural economy.”
Minister Muir has appealed to local farmers to remain vigilant for signs of the disease and report any suspicions to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) immediately.
Bluetongue affects all ruminants, such as cattle, goats, deer, lamas, alpacas and sheep.
DAERA has detailed that clinical signs can vary by species – although symptoms are generally more severe in sheep. Symptoms include fever, swelling of the head and neck, lameness, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes, drooling and there is often a high mortality rate
Bluetongue virus
Last week the UK ‘s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) had also confirmed one new case of bluetongue in cattle at premises in Norfolk.
According to Northern Ireland’s chief veterinary officer (CVO), Brian Dooher, this also highlights the need for farmers to be mindful of the danger the virus poses to some livestock.
DAERA has outlined that animal keepers in Northern Ireland are not permitted to vaccinate their animals against the virus.
“However, if bluetongue was confirmed in Northern Ireland, a veterinary risk assessment would be carried out and a licence may be issued to permit vaccination.
“Vaccination against one strain of bluetongue virus does not give protection against any other strain,” it stated.
Dooher said while confirmation of the case in Norfolk is disappointing “it is not unexpected giving the rising level of disease across several countries in Europe”.
