A total of 48 cases of bluetongue have now been detected in Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine confirmed today (Wednesday, October 21).

New cases have been identified in Co. Cork, Co. Wexford, Co. Waterford and Co. Wicklow.

Latest figures show that Co. Wexford is currently the worst impacted county with 16 bovine cases and one sheep case.

Bluetongue is a non-contagious viral disease spread by biting midges.

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) rising temperatures have resulted in the growth of the disease across Europe.

The bluetongue virus is particularly difficult to control, according to WOAH, because it has more than 27 serotypes.

The serotype that has been detected in Ireland is 3.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease and any suspect case must be reported to DAFM.

The department has urged farmers, veterinary practitioners and other relevant stakeholders to "remain vigilant for bluetongue".

Bluetongue

According to DAFM sheep are more likely to show obvious clinical signs of bluetongue than cattle if they become infected.

It has also warned that mortality rates can be as high as 70%.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, believes that "vaccination is the best tool" that the country has to offset the losses which can be caused by the virus .

A total of four million doses of BTV-3 (bluetongue) vaccines have now been supplied to private veterinary practitioners in Ireland according to latest official figures.

UK cases

The number of confirmed bluetongue cases have also risen in the UK this week.

There have been 3,426 cases of bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) or unspecified serotype in the UK in the 2026 to 2027 bluetongue season.

This includes:

2,884 cases in England;
491 cases in Wales;
51 cases in Scotland;
0 cases in Northern Ireland.