The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has said that the cow detected with bluetongue in Co. Wexford had no clinical symptoms, Agriland understands.

The department held an emergency meeting with stakeholders today (Monday, January 26) following confirmation last Saturday (January 24) that an outbreak of bluetongue had been detected in a cattle herd.

Agriland understands that during the "detailed briefing" DAFM reiterated that the case was detected through the culled cow routine surveillance in a slaughterhouse.

Investigations

DAFM is continuing to carry out epidemiological investigations and surveillance in the south-east and is tracing animals which moved out of the affected herd, to establish the degree to which disease may be present.

Agriland understands that the department told today's meeting that based on current results no widespread transmission of the disease is indicated at this time.

It is understood the cow that tested positive for bluetongue was not an imported animal. This is the first occurrence of bluetongue infection in a homebred animal in Ireland.

The department believes the likely source for this case is a midge infected with bluetongue virus being blown across the Irish Sea last autumn.

In further information published by the department, it was confirmed that BTV 3 was detected in one cow in the Co. Wexford herd intially through routine surveillance conducted by DAFM under the culled cow scheme.

"Blood samples collected from a suckler cow that was to be culled were testedserologically, and antibodies to bluetongue virus were detected.

"Subsequently, additional animals from the herd of origin were blood sampledfor testing.

"Testing by the Reference Virology Laboratory confirmed positivity of anadditional animal by PCR, and serotype 3 was confirmed," the department said.

Neither of the two positive animals were imported nor did they show clinical symptoms.

Bluetongue

Bluetongue is a notifiable exotic viral disease caused by bluetongue virus (BTV) which can cause severe clinical signs in ruminant species, such as cattle and sheep, and camelids.

As bluetongue is a notifiable disease, any suspect case of bluetongue must be reported to DAFM without delay.

The department has emphasised that there are "no public health risks associated with bluetongue" as the disease does not affect human health or food safety.

The virus is predominantly spread by midges which cannot happen when the daily temperatures are lower than 12°C.

Therefore, the department said no virus transmission via midges is happening during the current winter period.

As a result, there are no movement controls on livestock being imposed at this time as the department said it is not currently epidemiologically justified.

Movements of animals from farm to farm, through marts, farm to slaughter are all continuing for farmers.

Exports

Products affected by a change to Ireland’s BTV status include live animals to the EU and to third countries (outside the EU), bovine and sheep meat to third countries, and germinal products (semen, ova, embryos) to the EU and third countries.

The department has said that movements of livestock to Northern Ireland and Britain are not allowed, other than directly to slaughter.

Depending on the destination, the livestock trade with other EU member states may be subject to strict additional measures such as additional quarantine, serological or PCR testing, vaccination against the disease or set animal age limits.

In general, third country animal health certificates require a country to be free from bluetongue for a period of 12 to 24 months.

DAFM is engaging with competent authorities of third countries, including the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), but currently the export certs cannot be signed.

Agriland understands that the department confirmed today that there are no conditions relating to BTV3 for the calf trade with the Netherlands, France and Spain.

In Italy, there are no requirements for animals under 90 days-of-age if BTV3 is present at destination. Otherwise, the animals must be vaccinated or vector protected and require a PCR test.

The department said that for Northern Ireland and Britain, BTV3 vaccines do not have an established duration of immunity so cannot be used as a basis for certification currently.

In Poland, animals under 90 days must come from vaccinated dams prior to service, or at least 28 days prior to their birth.

The dam must also remain at the time of parturition within the immunity period guaranteed in the specifications of the vaccine.

Otherwise, these animals must been protected from vector attacks by insecticides or repellents for at least 14 days prior to the date of movement and they have been subjected during that period to a PCR test, with negative results, carried out on samples collected at least 14 days after the onset of the protection against vector attacks.

Cattle

For cattle and sheep over 90 days, there are no conditions for BTV3 for the Netherlands, France, and Spain.

In Italy, there is no requirements for these animals if BTV3 present at destination, otherwise they must be vaccinated or vector protection and a PCR test is required.

In Greece, animals over 70 days-of-age must be vaccinated or vector protected and a PCR test is required.

It is understood the potential impact of this bluetongue case on the trade for dairy products is minimal, while the vast majority of beef and sheep meat exports would not be impacted.

Of the third country meat markets impacted, it is understood that China is the only one of significant volume and value.

Ireland is required to notify China of any BTV outbreak and cease beef exports.