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| Bluetongue disease detected in NI | Bluetongue disease detected in NI |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Bluetongue disease has been detected in Northern Ireland for the first time. | Bluetongue disease has been detected in Northern Ireland for the first time. |
| Agriculture minister Michelle Gildernew confirmed on Friday that the disease had been found in a dairy cow imported from the Netherlands. | |
| The animal tested positive for the virus following routine post-import testing undertaken by the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development. | The animal tested positive for the virus following routine post-import testing undertaken by the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development. |
| However, because of the circumstances Northern Ireland remains officially bluetongue free. | However, because of the circumstances Northern Ireland remains officially bluetongue free. |
| Ms Gildernew said she had restricted the herd involved and all of the animals will now be tested for any other evidence of infection. | Ms Gildernew said she had restricted the herd involved and all of the animals will now be tested for any other evidence of infection. |
| "The department will also now be tracing and testing associated herds. Meanwhile, an epidemiological investigation has begun to assess the situation," she continued. | "The department will also now be tracing and testing associated herds. Meanwhile, an epidemiological investigation has begun to assess the situation," she continued. |
| Status quo | |
| "This investigation will help determine if disease is circulating but at this time there is no evidence to suggest that it is. Therefore at this time the north's bluetongue free status remains." | "This investigation will help determine if disease is circulating but at this time there is no evidence to suggest that it is. Therefore at this time the north's bluetongue free status remains." |
| The minister added: "I cannot stress enough the importance of farmers remaining vigilant for signs of the disease. | |
| "I would continue to urge all farmers to think very carefully before importing susceptible animals from Bluetongue infected countries." |