The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed that more than "19,000 samples of ruminants" have been tested for bluetongue in 2026.

According to DAFM since the virus was first detected in Ireland in January "a comprehensive analysis of cattle blood samples" taken for other disease detection purposes have been being tested for the virus.

Bluetongue has been confirmed in counties Wexford, Wicklow, Laois, Louth, Monaghan, and Kildare and the department has issued more than 270 bluetongue vaccine licenses to vet practices.

A DAFM spokesperson told Agriland: "To date, over 3000 herds have been vaccinated.

"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".

Bluetongue

According to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, DAFM is working with wholesalers and marketing authorisation holders to "ensure the continued supply of bluetongue vaccine to meet the high demand".

The minister said that he has "authorised the import of more than four million doses of bluetongue vaccine under special import licences to ensure adequate supply".

Minister Heydon also highlighted that his department has issued communications confirming that one vaccine pack can be prescribed and dispensed to more than one herd or flock "subject to veterinary oversight and maintenance of strict biosecurity".

Farmers have been advised that vaccination should be completed in animals to protect them against the virus prior to the high-risk vector season from May onwards.