Bluetongue: NI cattle can now be vaccinated against virus
The Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) Minister Andrew Muir said he was making the announcement to give "farmers and livestock keepers an additional safeguard", alongside surveillance, prompt detection and control."It aims to provide an additional tool to help protect their flocks and herds."BTV-3 does not have any impact on human beings, but the disease has been described as one element of a "triple threat" to agriculture and the agri-food sector in Northern Ireland.While vaccination does not prevent infection or transmission of the virus, it does reduce the severity of its clinical signs.They include a raised temperature, a drop in milk production and drooling.
Vet group warns outbreak 'seems inevitable'
The Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in Northern Ireland (AVSPNI) had written to the department calling for vaccination to be introduced.AVSPNI President Melanie Spahn said there was "a strong case" for vaccinating now, before "an outbreak that seems inevitable" might happen."Now is the time when midges are most prevalent and active but the characteristics of the vaccines themselves mean that it is also important to vaccinate before the breeding season is underway."The window of opportunity for action is closing fast and farmers must remain vigilant, looking for BTV signs."The disease has spread across Europe since it was detected in the Netherlands in 2023.It affects cattle and sheep as well as goats, deer and llamas.The spread of the midge that carries the virus depends on temperature and wind patterns.A Bluetongue Disease Control Framework has been published, which highlights the "heightened disease risk" given the detection of the virus in Great Britain.Bluetongue Disease Control Framework Northern Ireland
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