Over 11,000 animals in Ireland have been sampled and tested for antibodies to bluetongue virus since the start of the year.

Samples from almost 4,000 animals have been PCR tested for the virus in Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) laboratories over the past 9 months.

A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is a highly sensitive laboratory method used to detect tiny amounts of specific genetic material from a virus, bacteria, or abnormal cell.

Bluetongue

In response to a parliamentary question from Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon said bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) PCR positive animals have been detected in 12 cattle herds.

These herds are located across the counties of Wexford; Wicklow; Laois; Monaghan; Kildare; Cork and Tipperary.

All of the confirmed cases have been notified to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

"My department's surveillance aims to identify broad geographical areas where bluetongue virus is present to guide on-farm decision making relating to vaccination in association with their veterinary practitioners," Heydon said.

Over 5.7 million doses of BTV-3 vaccines have been licenced for import into Ireland since January 2026.

The minister said his Department does not track the number of bovines and ovines vaccinated "as this remains a commercial matter between livestock owners and their private veterinary practitioners".

Cases

Bluetongue is a serious disease of cattle, sheep, goats and camelids which is spread between animals by bites from infected midges, transplacental infection of pregnant animals, and germinal products such as semen.

The department has said the virus does not affect human health or food safety.

Last week, it was confirmed that three suspect animals in three separate herds in Wexford, Wicklow and Kildare had tested positive for bluetongue virus.

The animals had exhibited various clinical signs and were tested as a result.

Minister Heydon said that an epidemiological investigation and additional testing has been undertaken by DAFM in relation to holdings where bluetongue has been detected in recent weeks.

"I urge farmers who have not already done so to talk to their private veterinary practitioner to decide whether vaccination is right for their flock or herd.

"Bluetongue is a notifiable disease in Ireland. Where a veterinary practitioner suspects a case of the virus, the regional veterinary office should be contacted so that the case may be investigated.

"If the disease cannot be ruled out on clinical examination, departmental veterinary inspectors will take samples for laboratory testing," he said.

UK

Since the beginning of July 2026, there has been an increase in confirmed cases of BTV-3 in cattle and sheep in Britain, including cases involving significant clinical signs.

A total of 1,517 cases of bluetongue have been confirmed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) so far this 2026/2027 season.

In the past week alone, 61 new cases have been confirmed, with the majority of those in south-west England.