Bluetongue Update No. 5 of 2025
Please see here Bluetongue Virus Update No.5 of 2025 (pdf 519Kb)
- The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is investigating the suspicion of bluetongue (BT) at a premises near Bangor in County Down.
- Surveillance results indicated the presence of the disease in two cows.
- If confirmed, it would have implications for the movements of live susceptible animals for breeding and production and their germinal products into Ireland.
- Ongoing surveillance is being carried out in Ireland to ensure early detection of the disease in the event of an incursion.
- Bluetongue cases continued to be reported across England and Wales.
- The total number of BT cases in Great Britain for the 2025 -2026 vector season (since July 2025) is currently 228 (213 cases in England, 15 cases in Wales).
- Bluetongue continues to circulate across mainland Europe.
- Vigilance at this time is critical to detect cases promptly before the virus becomes established in local livestock and midge populations. Early detection would help to protect Ireland’s bluetongue disease free status.