Bluetongue carrier can travel '150km on the wind'
The midge that spreads bluetongue can travel "up to 150km on the wind," Minister Martin Heydon warned today (Friday, October 2).
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine also issued a reminder to farmers about the "importance" of vaccinating cattle and sheep to combat the bluetongue virus (BTV).
Bluetongue is a virus spread by insects, mainly Culicoides midges.
Midge activity levels depend on average temperatures, the high-risk period for bluetongue spread is when midges are most active which would usually be between April and November.
However wind speed and direction can also affect how far midges can travel.
It is believed that the likely source of the first Irish bluetongue case was infected midges blown across the Irish Sea in late 2025.
According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) the BTV vaccination can reduce the impact and severity of the bluetongue virus on livestock. Minister Heydon said “In recent days, new cases of bluetongue have been detected in Dublin, Meath, Roscommon, Longford, and Waterford.
"BTV has also been reported in sheep flocks so I would particularly urge sheep farmers to seriously consider vaccinating their flocks in consultation with their private veterinary practitioner".
According to DAFM key clinical symptoms of a bluetongue infection include crusty noses, drooling, mouth ulcers, lacrimation, lameness and crusty teats.
Latest information from the department shows that cattle have been more affected by the virus than sheep in Ireland.
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease which means any suspect case of bluetongue must be reported DAFM.
According to Minister Heydon the latest number of bluetongue cases "highlights the importance of submitting unexplained mortalities and samples from animals with suspected clinical signs for veterinary investigation.” The minister added: “For farmers who have vaccinated their cattle this year, it is important to consider vaccination for calves born after the herd was vaccinated earlier in the year, as maternal antibodies wane.
"For those herds which received the full vaccination course this year, farmers should consult with their veterinary practitioner about when a booster vaccination should be administered next year".
There are no public health risks associated with bluetongue according to DAFM.
The department has repeatedly outlined that the virus "does not affect human health or food safety: meat and dairy are safe to eat".
