DAERA Minister has permitted the voluntary
use of three bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines in Northern
Ireland, subject to licensing.
These vaccines are intended to reduce the severity of clinical
signs and mortality in affected animals, though they do not
prevent infection or transmission.
While Northern Ireland remains free of the disease, livestock
keepers and veterinary practitioners will now be able to take
early, informed action as a precautionary, secondary line of
defence against the disease.
Minister Muir outlined: “My Department is continuing to
take all necessary actions to protect Northern Ireland from an
incursion of Bluetongue Virus. This includes our recently
published BTV-3 Disease Control Framework.
“While we remain BTV free, I have now taken the decision
to allow the use of the BTV-3 vaccines to give our farmers and
livestock keepers an additional safeguard alongside our
surveillance, prompt detection and control.
“It aims to provide an additional tool to help protect
their flocks and herds.”
The decision brings Northern Ireland into line with the
voluntary, licensed use of BTV-3 vaccines in Scotland, Wales and
England and reflects the evolving risk picture and demand for
tools that can help build resilience against animal disease
threats.
Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher added: “Clear guidance is
available on the DAERA website to farmers, veterinary surgeons
and the wider industry on how the vaccine licensing process will
work in practice.
“We continue to urge all livestock keepers to remain vigilant for
the signs of BTV as we enter the high-risk period and advise them
to contact their private veterinary practitioner should they have
any concerns.”
Guidance, applications and supporting information, including
FAQs, and practical steps for herd keepers and veterinary
practitioners, is available on the DAERA website
at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/bluetongue#toc-6
Further information on BTV-3, including clinical signs and
questions and answers, can be obtained from: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/bluetongue.
Notes to editors:
- The Department published its Disease Control Framework for
Northern Ireland (NI) for Bluetongue virus (BTV-3) last month. It
can be viewed at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/bluetongue-disease-control-framework
- DAERA is urging all farmers to be vigilant for the signs of
the disease. BTV is primarily transmitted through biting midges
and affects cattle and sheep as well as goats, deer and llamas.
Biting midges are most active from April to November and any
infiltration will depend on temperature and wind patterns.
- BTV-3 was first detected in the Netherlands in September 2023
and has spread across Europe since then with confirmation of the
disease in the east of England coming in November 2023. The
restricted zone currently in place, covering many areas of
England was extended to cover all the country from 1 July
2025. Further details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bluetongue-information-and-guidance-for-livestock-keepers
- The virus does not have any impact on people or food safety
but can have a devastating impact on animals
infected. Symptoms vary with sheep more likely to show
obvious clinical signs than cattle.
- Posters of clinical signs of BTV-3 displayed in cattle and
sheep in England can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bluetongue-information-and-guidance-for-livestock-keepers
- DAERA reviews and updates its Veterinary Risk Assessment on
an ongoing basis in light of new developments, to ensure the
measures in place are appropriate and timely.
