Bluetongue Questions and Answers

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. It is a disease of animals, not humans, so there are no human or public health issues. Bluetongue is an insect-borne viral disease to which all species of ruminants are susceptible, although sheep are most severely affected. Cattle and goats which appear healthy can carry high levels of the virus and provide a source of further infection.

The disease is caused by a virus which is transmitted by certain species of biting midges. The Culicoides species of midge which carries the infection is found in Northern Ireland.

Bluetongue can cause severe losses in sheep with a significant impact on livestock keepers and livestock trade.

If Bluetongue was confirmed to be circulating in NI it would have major economic significance, as large restriction zones would be declared and exports of susceptible animals from these areas would only be allowed in certain conditions.  It may also affect the movement of animals within NI.

Bluetongue is confirmed on the basis of laboratory results and epidemiological evidence.  Unlike other diseases, bluetongue is not confirmed by the presence of the virus in an individual animal - EU law requires that to confirm an outbreak of Bluetongue, there must be evidence of circulation of the active virus between susceptible animals and the midge vector population.

All susceptible animals being imported to Northern Ireland from a Bluetongue restricted area must comply with the relevant controls in the European Bluetongue Regulation (1266/2007) for the movement of susceptible animals from restricted zones.

For more information on the current trade conditions please click on the links at the bottom of the page or contact Trade Section 0300 200 7852

As an additional precautionary measure, all susceptible breeding and production animals imported from Europe (except ROI) and South East counties of GB are being blood tested for Bluetongue and are restricted on their holding until a negative test result is received *

The animals must be held in isolation after importation until post-import testing is completed and restrictions are lifted. Animals must be kept in housing that has a separate air space and that is not shared with any other susceptible livestock; and

The isolation facility must be cleansed and disinfected prior to the arrival of the imported animals, and must also be pre-sprayed with a recommended insecticide.

In addition, and in line with EU Bluetongue legislation, the Department carries out an annual survey of herds in NI to confirm the disease free status.

*Imports from South east counties of GB will not be testing during Vector Free Periods.  

For more information, please click on the below links.

Bluetongue Declaration

The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) carry out surveillance to better understand the ecology and what species of midge we have in Northern Ireland.

In order to help protect the industry in Northern Ireland from this disease, anyone considering sourcing stock (ruminants) from a Bluetongue restricted area, is advised to:

Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute

Veterinary Laboratories Agency

Farmers importing animals are advised to reduce the risk to their own livestock by taking the following actions:-

The affected countries have applied control measures as required under the EU Directive. Some movements are allowed if conditions are met.  These conditions are set out in Annex 3 of the Bluetongue Regulation 1266/2007.

There are at least 24 different varieties (serotypes) of the bluetongue virus (BTV). The serotype involved in the outbreak of bluetongue in Northern Europe was identified as serotype 8.

Virus transmission between animals occurs via an insect vector (midges of Culicoides species), when a midge bites an infected animal and passes the infection to an uninfected naive animal. Transmission of the virus during an outbreak therefore depends on continuing cycles of infection between infected animals and vector insects. Bluetongue cannot be naturally transmitted directly between animals.  As the virus is found in the blood, there is the potential for spread by hypodermic needle or the equipment which is in contact with bodily secretions.  Sterile needles should be used for each animal.

Bluetongue is an insect-borne viral disease that affects all ruminants (such as sheep, cattle, goat, deer, camels, llamas, giraffes, bison, buffalo, wildebeest and antelope). Other species such as elephants may be affected sporadically.

Bluetongue does not affect humans so there are no human or public health implications. There is no risk of the disease being contracted or spread through meat or milk.

In sheep the clinical signs include:

In cattle:

Although Bluetongue usually causes no apparent illness in cattle or goats( it is possible that cattle will show no signs of illness) however clinical signs have included:

Photos of the clinical signs are available by clicking on the below link

The Bluetongue Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 implement Council Directive 2000/75/EEC concerning the control and eradication of Bluetongue.  It also enforces the requirements of Commission Regulation 1266/2007 as regards the monitoring, surveillance and movement restrictions of certain animals of susceptible species in relation to Bluetongue

Under current legislation, the measures would include:

If you suspect the presence of the disease, contact your local Divisional Veterinary Office immediately. To find out the telephone number of your nearest office, call the DARD helpline on: 0300 200 7852, or visit the DARD website at: DARD

The Bluetongue Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 prohibits vaccination of animals within Northern Ireland unless authorised by the Department. A BTV 8 vaccine is now available, but can only be used in a Vaccination Zone. Its use is not therefore permitted in NI at this time.

This will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking account of the epidemiological investigation and the veterinary risk assessment. However, due to the vector-borne nature of the disease, widespread slaughter is unlikely to be used to control Bluetongue.

Compensation is payable in accordance with the Diseases of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 for animals destroyed for the purpose of disease control.  

Compensation would not be payable in the following circumstances:

For more information, please click on the link below.

Defra Website