Modelling showed midges carrying bluetongue virus along Irish coast

Mr Kyle said the virus frequently causes abortions and fertility issues in cattle and sheep.

Midges carrying bluetongue virus have likely been circulating along the east coast of the island, modelling conducted in the wake of the recent outbreak in Northern Ireland has shown.

The North’s deputy chief veterinary officer David Kyle, said the modelling was “very interesting”, and showed that it was likely cases could be much more widespread than originally expected.