'Not too late' to vaccinate against bluetongue - DAFM
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has advised farmers there is still time to vaccinate their animals against bluetongue.
Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a serious disease of cattle, sheep, goats and camelids. It is caused by a virus which is transmitted between animals by biting midges.
The department has previously warned that warmer temperatures bring an increased risk of transmission of the disease.
Temperatures need to be greater that 12°C for a sustained period for the virus to replicate within the midge so that the midge can spread the virus.
Bluetongue
Following the detection of bluetongue in Ireland in January of this year, the department said a comprehensive analysis of cattle blood samples, taken for other disease detection purposes, are also being tested for bluetongue.
Blood samples taken since September 2025, when modelling suggests that animals were first infected with bluetongue, have been tested.
The first case of BTV3 was confirmed in a suckler herd in Co. Wexford in January. It was detected through the culled cow routine surveillance in a slaughterhouse.
To date, BTV has been detected in counties Wexford; Wicklow; Laois; Louth; Monaghan; Kildare; Cork; and Tipperary.
No additional county has been added to that list since May.
Vaccine
A DAFM spokesperson told Agriland that the department's policy has been to provide "broad geographical locations" where cases of bluetongue have been found.
The spokesperson said this is to assist farmers to make decisions regarding vaccination of their herds and flocks to mitigate the risk of bluetongue.
"Farmers have been very responsive to the threat and there has been good uptake of BTV3 vaccination.
"It is too early to understand what the clinical picture and effects of BTV3 will be.
"The disease picture has had different outcomes in different countries to date," the spokesperson said.
DAFM has advised herd owners to remain vigilant for signs of the disease.
"The department also advises that it is still not too late to vaccinate and herd owners should, in consultation with their private veterinary practitioner, consider whether vaccination is right for them.
"There are no public health risks associated with bluetongue.
"Bluetongue does not affect human health or food safety; meat and milk are safe to eat," the spokesperson added.
