New bluetongue case investigated in Northern Ireland
27th January 2026
A suspected case of bluetongue is being investigated at a premises near Portavogie, County Down, in Northern Ireland, DAERA confirms.
Preliminary results from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) have indicated the presence of bluetongue virus. Samples were sent to the UK National Reference Laboratory for confirmatory testing.
The case was initially detected as a result of samples taken for pre-movement testing on high-risk animals at the premises.
This is the first suspect case of bluetongue virus detected since bluetongue (BTV-3) was officially confirmed at the fourth infected premises in County Down on 19th December 2025.
The emergence of this latest suspect case does not require an extension to the Temporary Control Zone, which is currently in place.
Financial support for pre-movement testing
Earlier this month, DAERA minister Andrew Muir announced financial support for pre-movement testing in the bluetongue temporary control zone.
On 18th December 2025, DAERA confirmed that animals could move out of the TCZ. However, a number of high-risk categories would only be permitted to move under specific licence subject to certain additional requirements.
Some of those requirements include either proof of a negative pregnancy test, negative pre-movement testing or proof of previous bluetongue vaccination.
Private Veterinary Practitioners (PVPs) will be able to administer any required pre-movement sampling, with the laboratory cost of the tests now payable by DAERA for a limited period.
DAERA minister Muir said: “Conscious of the ongoing financial impact on farmers in the area, I have now issued a ministerial direction requiring my officials to put in place arrangements to meet the laboratory costs for any pre-movement testing of high-risk animals moving out of the zone.
“This is a unique situation based on current circumstances and is short-term in nature to provide targeted sector-specific support.”
READ MORE: DAERA confirms first bluetongue case on farm in Northern Ireland
Situation in the UK
There have been 272 cases of bluetongue in Great Britain in the 2025 bluetongue season (since July 2025).
In England, there have been 251 cases of bluetongue, including 243 cases of only BTV-3, 1 case of only BTV-8 and 7 cases with both BTV-3 and BTV-8. There also have been 21 cases of BTV-3 discovered in Wales.
The location of all premises in Great Britain where one or more animals have tested positive by PCR for bluetongue serotype 3, serotype 8 or serotype 12 is available on the bluetongue case map.
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