The latest case of bluetongue virus identified does not mean any changes to the temporary control zone in place.
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There has been another case of the bluetongue virus detected in Northern Ireland at a premises near Portavogie, Co Down.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) published the announcement on its website on 23 January. DAERA says preliminary results from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) have indicated the presence of bluetongue virus, adding that samples will be sent to the UK National Reference Laboratory Pirbright for confirmatory testing.
The case was identified as part of samples collected for pre-movement testing on high-risk animals at the premises.
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It is the first case detected since bluetongue (BTV-3) was officially confirmed at the fourth infected premises in Co Down on 19 December 2025.
“The emergence of this latest suspect case does not require an extension to the temporary control zone which is currently in place”, said DAERA.
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There has been another case of the bluetongue virus detected in Northern Ireland at a premises near Portavogie, Co Down.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) published the announcement on its website on 23 January. DAERA says preliminary results from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) have indicated the presence of bluetongue virus, adding that samples will be sent to the UK National Reference Laboratory Pirbright for confirmatory testing.
The case was identified as part of samples collected for pre-movement testing on high-risk animals at the premises.
It is the first case detected since bluetongue (BTV-3) was officially confirmed at the fourth infected premises in Co Down on 19 December 2025.
“The emergence of this latest suspect case does not require an extension to the temporary control zone which is currently in place”, said DAERA.
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