The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) said that bluetongue virus has now been confirmed in "multiple cattle herds" in southern and eastern areas.

The first case of bluetongue was confirmed in a suckler herd in Co. Wexford on January 24.

The case was detected through the department's culled cow routine surveillance in a slaughterhouse.

DAFM has now confirmed that further investigations have identified bluetongue in 10 additional herds through tracing and active surveillance in the south-east.

The department noted that the animals did not present with clinical signs.

Bluetongue

Two cattle abortion reports have disclosed two further cases in farms in coastal areas of counties Wicklow and Louth.

The department said these are the first two cases reporting clinical signs.

Farmers and vets across the country are being encouraged to submit abortion samples (postabortion dam bloods and deformed/aborted foetuses) to their local Regional Veterinary Laboratory (RVL).

The latest DAFM update said that one further cow was detected on the abattoir surveillance in a herd close to the index herd, Co. Wexford.

The department believes the likely source of the virus in Ireland was by infected midges blown across the Irish sea in late autumn 2025.

Bluetongue virus is spread by infected biting midges which are present in Ireland and are generally most active between April and November.

The replication of the virus can only occur in the midge in temperatures above 12-15°C.

DAFM said the spread of the virus is less likely to occur in winter and early spring months.

No restriction zones or movement controls are currently in place, the department added.

DAFM has reiterated there are no food safety or human health risks from bluetongue.

Northern Ireland

Since Ireland confirmed its first case of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV3), only movements of cattle and sheep direct to slaughter have been allowed to Northern Ireland as certification requirements could not be met.

A derogation from certain certification requirements is now in place since March 6 in relation to Northern Ireland.

This means that cattle and sheep can move with no restrictions from other member states where BTV3 is the only serotype present, as is the case in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

DAFM said no pre-movement testing requirements are required for cross-border moves.

As with movements prior to the bluetongue outbreaks, an ITAHC (intra cert) is required to accompany any livestock movement.