The Department of Agriculture has confirmed a new case of bluetongue in Co Wexford.
The disease was found in a non-vaccinated 16-month-old heifer, which had no clinical signs prior to the death.
This is the first case of bluetongue confirmed in 2026 in Ireland.
The Department said this case highlights the importance of submitting unexplained mortalities to the Department’s regional veterinary laboratories.
Vaccination
The Department said it is still worth vaccinating against BTV-3 at this stage, as it remains the most effective measure against the disease.
It is reminding farmers who have not vaccinated to talk to their private veterinary practitioner in deciding whether vaccination is appropriate for their herd.
The virus is extensively circulating in Britain, with reports of multiple cases with a variety of clinical signs in cattle and sheep. Cases there remain concentrated in southwest England and Wales.
There also has been recent detections in Scotland.
Clinical signs of the disease include fever, loss of appetite, drop in milk yield, lethargy, lesions, mucous membranes and swelling of the face, lips and tongue.
If you suspect a case, the animal should be isolated immediately and the case reported to the Department of Agriculture.