The department has confirmed an additional 44 cattle on the Clandeboye Estate farm at the centre of a bluetongue virus (BTV-3) outbreak in NI have given an initial positive test to the virus.

As a result, at least 20 large herds within the 20km temporary control zone established around the Bangor farm last Saturday are to be tested for BTV-3 within the next 10 days.

In total, it is expected that around 4,000 cattle will be tested on these farms.

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As well as the 44 animals with an initial positive test, reports suggest a further three animals on the estate could have become infected due to midges in the last few days. In total, around 20% of the herd has tested positive for BTV-3.

None of the cattle on the farm have any clinical signs of the disease and there has been no drop off in milk production.

“The results of this preliminary testing is undoubtedly a blow for the owners and staff on the farm which operates to the highest biosecurity standards and our thoughts are with them at this time. It is also hugely disappointing for the agri-food sector which up until now has enjoyed Bluetongue free status,” commented Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir.

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Initial test

As well as increased surveillance in the control zone, there is also additional surveillance being done across all abattoirs in NI.

That process has been ongoing in NI since June 2024 and it identified two cows originating from the Clandeboye Estate Farm as being positive for the virus.

The animals were presented for slaughter on 18 November and on Saturday 29 November the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) notified DAERA of the positive test results. Neither animal was vaccinated for BTV (which could cause a false positive) and neither showed any clinical signs of infection.

The department has also traced any animals that might have left the farm since 1 October 2025, with a view to potentially testing animals on receiving farms. It is understood that farms outside the 20km zone with young calves originating from Clandeboye have been put under movement restrictions.

Meanwhile samples from the two test positive cows were sent for confirmatory testing at the EU reference laboratory at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) in Germany and the UK national reference laboratory (NRL) at Pirbright in England.

Midges

BTV is mainly spread by biting midges, however, it is thought that because we are moving into a period of low midge activity, risks of spread are reduced.

“We are nearly, if not already, in the vector low period, which means that midges cannot spread the disease in the colder weather. The further capture of midges will allow us to confirm that over the coming days,” said Minister Muir.