Bluetongue Virus

• An outbreak of bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 3, was confirmed in a cattle herd in Co. Wexford on 23rd of January 2026. It was detected through the culled cow routine surveillance in a slaughterhouse. This is the first occurrence of BTV infection in a homebred animal in Ireland.
• Further investigations have detected additional infected cattle linked to the first herd in which infection was detected and in three additional herds located nearby.
• Surveillance in the area is ongoing.
• There are no public health risks associated with bluetongue. Bluetongue does not affect human health or food safety; meat and milk are safe to eat.
• Moves of livestock from farm to farm and from farm to slaughter, including those through marts, can continue as the cold temperatures prevent the virus from replicating.
• Movements of livestock to certain EU Member States and Third countries will be affected now that Ireland has lost the BTV free status, the Department is negotiating revisions to many trade certs for third countries. Please contact your Regional Veterinary Office for more information or visit the following websites:

- Movements within the EU

- Model health certificates for the export of livestock to Third (non-EU) Countries are available to view on the dedicated webpage of the official DAFM website: Health Certificates for the Export of Livestock to Third Countries

- Export certificates for live animals, products of animal origin and germinal products destined for Great Britain are available on the official UK government website: Services - GOV.UK

• Regarding the trade of meat and dairy products, there are no implications for exports to the EU, UK and to most of our international markets.

2026

2025

Bluetongue is a viral disease caused by bluetongue virus (BTV) which can cause severe clinical signs in ruminant species and camelids.

As bluetongue is a notifiable disease, any suspect case of bluetongue must be reported to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) without delay. Farmers, veterinary practitioners and other relevant stakeholders should remain vigilant for bluetongue.

There are different serotypes (variations within the species) of bluetongue virus (BTV). The most commonly found in Europe are 1, 3, 4 and 8. The serotype that has been detected in Ireland is 3.

There are no public health risks associated with bluetongue. Bluetongue does not affect human health or food safety: meat and dairy are safe to eat.

It is a serious animal disease as it may have severe on-farm impacts (reduced production, serious illness and even death of livestock) as well as economic impacts on Irish agri-industry, for instance, by affecting live animal trade with other countries.

bluetongue virus can infect and cause severe clinical signs in ruminant species (including sheep, cattle, goats and deer) and camelids (such as llama and alpaca).

Bluetongue virus is spread by infected biting midges (Culicoides species) many of which are found throughout the island of Ireland. Bluetongue transmission primarily occurs when biting midges feed off the blood of an infected animal and then spread the virus to other uninfected animals they bite.

Midge activity levels depend on average temperatures. The high-risk period for bluetongue spread is when midges are most active. Traditionally this would be between April and November, however rising global temperatures and mild weather conditions during winter may see midge activity persisting for longer, extending the periods of potential disease transmission. Wind speed and direction can also affect how far midges can travel and could potentially facilitate the spread of disease.

Infected pregnant animals can also pass the virus to their unborn offspring in the womb, who can be a source of infection when they are born.

The virus can also be spread through germinal products such as semen and embryos, and biological products such as blood.

The disease is currently present in many parts of Europe.

Previously, bluetongue (serotypes 1, 4 and 8) was more commonly detected in Southern Europe due to warmer climates, but the recent spread of a new bluetongue serotype, ‘serotype 3’ (BTV-3) across mainland Europe and Great Britain since Autumn of 2023, has increased the risk of spread to disease-free areas. Currently, only some countries and territories, mainly towards the east of Europe, remain disease free.

In addition to the widespread of BTV-3, serotypes BTV-1, BTV-4 and BTV-8 continue to circulate in several European countries. A ‘new’ more virulent strain of BTV-8 emerged in France in August 2023 which was later confirmed in other countries.

Information detailing bluetongue cases globally and in Europe can be found here.

Sheep are more likely to show obvious clinical signs of bluetongue than cattle if they become infected, and mortality rates can be as high as 70%. Some animals may not show any clinical signs however, and these animals can pose a risk for spreading the disease to new areas or countries. If infections resolve, recovery can take months.

There is a wide range of clinical signs of bluetongue to look out for including:

• Fever

• Inappetance (loss or lack of appetite)

• Drop in milk yield

• Apathy, lethargy

• Lesions, sores, reddening and/or ulcerations

• Swelling of the face, lips and tongue (i.e. “bluetongue”)

• Breathing difficulties if the tongue swells

• Increased salivation and drooling from the mouth

• Discharge from the eyes and/or nose

• Lameness (due to periarthritis, hoof sloughing, swollen legs)

• Abortion, stillbirths or deformities in offspring

• Possible death in severe cases

Clinical Signs of bluetongue in Sheep

Clinical Signs of bluetongue in Cattle

If you have any concern that one of your animals has bluetongue, do not delay in taking action. Isolate the suspect animal(s) indoors immediately and report the case to the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. Farmers, veterinary practitioners, and other relevant stakeholders should remain vigilant for bluetongue transmission.

To report a suspect case, please contact your local RVO (9am-5pm). Outside of office hours, you can ring the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01-492-8026 (which is operational 365 days of the year).

A document with bluetongue virus frequently asked questions, can be found here

Bluetongue Virus FAQs

A short video on ‘How to keep bluetongue out of Ireland’ by clicking here

• Useful Websites:

European Commission webpage on bluetongue

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) webpage on bluetongue

• Information Leaflets

The use of bluetongue vaccination against bluetongue serotype-3 (BTV-3) is permitted in cattle and sheep in Ireland since 01st January 2026. The risk for spread of BTV-3 has increased, following its detection in Northern Ireland in December 2025 and in Ireland in January 2026. It is now more likely that the disease will spread during the high-risk season in Summer 2026.

Farmers can consider the option to vaccinate against bluetongue serotype-3 in Spring 2026 to protect livestock in advance of any midge-borne virus spread in the warmer Summer and Autumn months. Farmers who are interested in BTV-3 vaccination are advised to discuss the option with their private veterinary practitioner (PVP) and subsequently apply for vaccination through their PVP.

Vaccination application documents for Wholesalers and PVPs are available here

Further Vaccination information may be found below -

Bluetongue Vaccination Information Note December 2025

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has designated the following laboratories as officially approved for BTV PCR testing of cattle and sheep blood samples.

Farmers who require BTV testing (for trade or export purposes) are advised to discuss with their private veterinary practitioner (PVP) for advice. Any positive results must be notified to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Farmlab Diagnostics

Address:

Emlagh Lodge, Elphin, Co. Roscommon, F45 VW89

Website: FarmLab Diagnostics provides Animal Health Diagnostic Testing Services

Animal Health Laboratories (AHLI)

Address:

Shinagh House, Dunmanway Road, Bandon, Co. Cork P72TY31

Website: Animal Health Laboratories - Leading The Way In Animal Health

Enfer Labs

Address:

Unit U, M7 Business Park, Newhall, Naas, Co. Kildare, W91 Y795

Website: Home | Enfer Group