Northern Ireland not Immune to Schmallenberg Virus

I have no idea why the farmers of Northern or Southern Ireland thought that they would be left immune to the Schmallenberg Virus?

According to Wikipedia The ‘Schmallenberg virus is the informal name given to an orthobunyavirus, which has not been given a formal name as of January 2012, initially reported in November 2011 to cause congenital malformations and stillbirths in cattle, sheep, goats, and possibly alpaca.’

The Virus is transmitted by Midges, which can be vectors for disease and viruses. The virus has been detected in The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Italy, Spain, UK, Switzerland and detected buy isolated away from mammals in Denmark.

It is going to be interesting to see what the Veterinarians recommend as a course of action as a vaccine is now definitely needed.