Department urges farmers to be vigilant during higher-risk period for Bluetongue Virus

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine urges livestock keepers to remain vigilant as Ireland is in the higher-risk period for Bluetongue. Warmer temperatures bring increased midges, which can spread the disease. This higher-risk period runs from April to November.

Bluetongue is an exotic animal disease, found in many European countries. High temperatures on the continent have added to increased infection pressure, which has led to a surge in cases recently. The disease represents a serious threat to Irish livestock if it were to spread to Ireland.

Since September 2023, the Netherlands has been dealing with an ongoing outbreak of Bluetongue Virus (BTV-3). In 2023, the virus was detected on approximately 6000 holdings across the country. Despite having acquired emergency approval of recently developed BTV-3 vaccines, the Netherlands continues to see an increasing number of cases of clinical disease. These vaccines have not yet received EU-wide authorisation. BTV-3 has also been detected in the neighbouring countries of Belgium and Germany. The Department reinforces the need for vigilance and biosecurity and continues to closely monitor the situation.

The Department also urges importers to avoid importing susceptible animals during this higher-risk period. Where susceptible animal imports cannot be avoided, please seek advice from your private veterinary practitioner or your local Regional Veterinary Office. It is important to ensure that imported animals are Bluetongue virus-free before they leave their country of origin, by requesting a pre-movement PCR test for the virus.

It is crucial to report any suspicion of Bluetongue to your local Regional Veterinary Office without delay.

Notes for the Editor:

• Bluetongue Virus (BTV) is a notifiable disease, meaning that there is a legal obligation for any suspect case to be reported to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

• Ireland is currently BTV-free. An outbreak of BTV in Ireland would have a significant impact on the Irish livestock sector. The disease could spread to Ireland and circulate through import of infected animals, infected foetuses, germinal products or wind dispersal of infected midges from mainland Europe.

• 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).

• The virus is spread by infected biting midges (Culicoides species) which are present in Ireland and are generally most active between April and November.

• If the presence of Bluetongue is suspected on a holding, the herdowner should contact their local Regional Veterinary Office without delay (during office hours) or the National Disease Emergency Hotline on: (01) 492 8026 outside of office hours.

• An outbreak of Bluetongue in Ireland would result in the establishment of large disease control zones of 150km radius being introduced with movement and export restrictions applied to animals originating from within these zones.

• The loss of our Bluetongue-free status could also impact our ability to trade with countries outside of the EU.

• Anyone who intends to import animals that are susceptible to Bluetongue should consider and implement all preventative measures that can help to keep Ireland free of Bluetongue including the following:

o Isolate the animals indoors in a clean shed away from the rest of the herd or flock.

o Check that the animals have the correct identification and certification requirements.

o Ensure that they have access to clean dry bedding, feed and water and contact your vet without delay if any animals appear unwell.

o Contact the local RVO immediately once the animals arrive to arrange for the required post-import checks for diseases including Bluetongue. Early detection of the Bluetongue virus is of key importance to controlling any potential outbreak.

• As part of its surveillance programme the Department samples all ruminant animals & camelids imported from mainland Europe for BTV, regardless of the BTV status of country of origin.

• Samples are collected from each imported animal twice: First sample within 5 days of arrival and second 10 days later.

• More information on Bluetongue Virus can be found on the Department’s website: gov - Bluetongue Virus (www.gov.ie)