The Chair of Medicines at Veterinary Ireland has warned that if a suspected bluetongue outbreak in Northern Ireland is not contained, it could spread during fly season late next spring and early summer.
Conor Geraghty described the disease as “exotic” to Ireland, reports RTE.
“Obviously, there’s been a suspected case in Northern Ireland,” he said, reports RTE.
“The theory is that if it’s not contained in Northern Ireland, it would spread during the fly season late next spring and early summer,” Mr Geraghty said, reports RTE.
The suspected outbreak was identified in two cows on a holding near Bangor, Co Down.
A 20km livestock movement ban has been put in place, reports RTE.
Officials in Stormont’s Agriculture Department said they are coordinating with colleagues south of the border as part of all-island disease control measures.
While bluetongue poses no risk to human health, it can have serious consequences for livestock and the agri-food sector, reports RTE.
Symptoms of the disease include fever, lameness and swelling.
Bluetongue is mainly spread by biting midges and affects cattle, sheep, goats, deer, llamas and alpacas, reports RTE.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr Geraghty said that if a herd is confirmed to have bluetongue, the infected animals must be culled.
“Infected animals would be culled, and there are restriction zones around any suspect cases and testing within those zones,” he said, reports RTE.
“The department, both north and south, will try and contain it by that method, very similar to foot and mouth back in 2001,” Mr Geraghty added, reports RTE.
He said controlling the disease is challenging because it spreads via flies and midges, and multiple measures are in place to try to contain it.
“The main focus is to try and keep it off the island. There are three vaccines licensed as well, which could be used to protect livestock, and Northern Ireland have some of that vaccine at the moment,” reports RTE.
Mr Geraghty added that the vaccine is not currently available in the south.
He said the potential effects of bluetongue are “twofold”, reports RTE.
“First of all, there’s obviously impacts on livestock health and production losses. But then, there are serious implications for trade to third countries and across the EU,” Mr Geraghty said, reports RTE.
He encouraged farmers to report any signs of bluetongue promptly.
“The key is, if you see any symptoms associated with bluetongue or any notifiable disease, to notify that to the relevant authorities, which will be the department. Vets will be keeping an eye out as well,” he said, reports RTE.
“There’ll be ongoing surveillance at abattoirs and at regional vet labs, reports RTE.
“I think the key is to be vigilant and obviously to report any unusual signs,” he added, reports RTE.
Yesterday, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon described the suspected outbreak in the north as “unwelcome”.
He said it has “potentially serious implications”, reports RTE.
“If the disease becomes established in one part of the island, it will be that much easier for it to spread, with consequences for animal health and welfare, and financial and emotional stress for farmers.
“However, I must emphasise that bluetongue does not have any implications for human health or food safety,” he added, reports RTE.
Stormont’s Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir urged farmers to watch for symptoms of bluetongue and said the suspected case was detected by vets at a Northern Ireland abattoir,
President of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) Francie Gorman said the suspected outbreak is very disappointing and concerning, reports RTE.
Mr Gorman noted that farmers have been diligent over the past 18 months since the virus was first detected in England.
“Farmers are actively playing their part in monitoring livestock for any signs of the disease and reporting any suspicions to their vets and the department,” he said, reports RTE.
He added that most EU countries affected by BTV 3 have managed live exports through bilateral trade agreements, and the Department of Agriculture must act quickly to ensure trade from Ireland is maintained if BTV 3 is confirmed.
“We cannot have any disruption for this vital trade,” he said, reports RTE.
President of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) Denis Drennan said the immediate priority must be containing the suspected case.
He added that the Government and all industry stakeholders must make this their focus in the coming weeks, reports RTE.
Given the time of year, a suspected case is both unexpected and very worrying for farmers and the wider industry.
Mr Drennan said everyone needs to exercise extra caution in the coming weeks, reports RTE.
He advised farmers to contact their vet if they have concerns about their animals, noting that early detection is crucial to controlling this serious disease.
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