Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has confirmed that bluetongue virus has been confirmed in three more herds in Co. Wexford.

The minister said: "Bluetongue virus has now been detected in three additional herds in Co Wexford, all of which are located nearby to the first herd in which infection was detected."

In the first herd, where an outbreak was confirmed over the weekend, a total of seven cattle have been identified as having been infected.

These are: the original cull cow sampled at routine slaughter surveillance which tested positive for antibodies to the virus; five cattle which tested positive for the virus and for antibodies in the herd from which that cull cow originated; and a seventh cow, virus and antibody positive, which was forward traced to another holding, having moved from the original holding a short time ago.

In the three additional herds in which bluetongue has now been confirmed, two had one infected bovine, and one had two infected bovines, all virus and antibody positive.

Surveillance in the area is continuing, with additional results due in the coming days, it is understood.

Minister Heydon said: "My decision last year, to approve the use of BTV3 [bluetongue virus serotype 3] vaccines in Ireland from 2026, will provide farmers with a valuable tool to protect their cattle and sheep against the impact of BTV3, should it spread widely in summer 2026.

"I advise cattle and sheep farmers to have a conversation with their veterinary practitioner about whether the use of BTV3 vaccines is the right choice for their circumstances, in advance of the high-risk summer 2026 season," the minister added.

Details on how to apply for a licence for these vaccines have been published online.

Beef exports to China

In other bluetongue updates today (Wednesday, January 28), beef exports from Ireland to China have been stopped again due to the detection of bluetongue here, just over two weeks after the market reopened.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine confirmed to Agriland that, under the protocol governing the beef trade between Ireland and China, the department is required to notify the competent authorities in China of an outbreak of certain diseases, including bluetongue.

The department notified the relevant Chinese authority, the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) of the outbreak, a department spokesperson confirmed.

The GACC then subsequently informed the department that it has suspended the acceptance of beef exported from Ireland, effective from yesterday (Tuesday, January 27).