Preliminary test results on Wednesday afternoon have shown that bluetongue virus is present on a further three farms in Co Wexford.
On Saturday, a cull cow from a farm in the county tested positive for bluetongue, with seven animals in total confirmed as having the virus on the farm.
The three new herds that have bluetongue are in the vicinity of the original herd, Dr Eoin Ryan, deputy chief veterinary officer at the Department of Agriculture, told the Irish Farmers Journal.
One herd has two infected cattle, while the other two farms have a single animal with bluetongue.
“These cases were picked up under the Department’s ongoing surveillance, with further tests being carried out.
“Over 800 blood tests of cattle have been carried out since 1 January 2026,” he said.
All cattle on the three new farms have tested positive for the virus and antibodies, he said.
Bluetongue can remain in the blood for a number of months after an animal has contracted the virus, he said.
No control zones
Bluetongue is spread from animal to animal by biting midges. It is currently too cold for the virus to replicate in midges. In order for it to replicate, temperatures must remain above 12°C consistently for a number of days. As a result, no control zones have been put in place.
“If we were concerned that the virus would spread, we would put in control zones,” he said. Implementing such zones now would not impede the virus from spreading.
On vaccinations, the advice from the Department official is for farmers to engage with their vet on the bet course of action for their farm.
As a result of the bluetongue cases, the Chinese market has been closed for Irish beef exports.
Read more
Chinese market reopens for Irish beef
Chinese market closed for Irish beef due to bluetongue
Preliminary test results on Wednesday afternoon have shown that bluetongue virus is present on a further three farms in Co Wexford.
On Saturday, a cull cow from a farm in the county tested positive for bluetongue, with seven animals in total confirmed as having the virus on the farm.
The three new herds that have bluetongue are in the vicinity of the original herd, Dr Eoin Ryan, deputy chief veterinary officer at the Department of Agriculture, told the Irish Farmers Journal.
One herd has two infected cattle, while the other two farms have a single animal with bluetongue.
“These cases were picked up under the Department’s ongoing surveillance, with further tests being carried out.
“Over 800 blood tests of cattle have been carried out since 1 January 2026,” he said.
All cattle on the three new farms have tested positive for the virus and antibodies, he said.
Bluetongue can remain in the blood for a number of months after an animal has contracted the virus, he said.
No control zones
Bluetongue is spread from animal to animal by biting midges. It is currently too cold for the virus to replicate in midges. In order for it to replicate, temperatures must remain above 12°C consistently for a number of days. As a result, no control zones have been put in place.
“If we were concerned that the virus would spread, we would put in control zones,” he said. Implementing such zones now would not impede the virus from spreading.
On vaccinations, the advice from the Department official is for farmers to engage with their vet on the bet course of action for their farm.
As a result of the bluetongue cases, the Chinese market has been closed for Irish beef exports.
Read more
Chinese market reopens for Irish beef
Chinese market closed for Irish beef due to bluetongue
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