Two new cases of bluetongue have been confirmed in cattle in Ireland in recent days.
It brings to six the number of outbreaks on farms in Ireland.
Up until now, outbreaks in cattle had been confirmed on four farms in Wexford.
Bluetongue has been confirmed on a fifth farm in Wexford, while the location of the sixth case has yet to be confirmed.
Speaking in the Dáil on Tuesday afternoon, the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said that since the first detection of bluetongue virus in Ireland on 22 January, infection has since been detected in five cattle herds in Co Wexford.
Investigations
“A further infection was detected last week in a bovine which had been in a number of counties during the possible infection period, and investigations are now ongoing into that case.
“While this is an unwelcome development, it is not unexpected as this virus has been spreading across Europe and Britain and was found in Northern Ireland in December 2025,” he said.
He said there is no public health risk associated with bluetongue.
“Bluetongue does not affect human health or food safety, and meat and milk are safe to eat and drink. I acknowledge the stress that the presence of bluetongue must be causing farmers generally, especially in the south east,” he said.
Surveillance
Bluetongue is spread by infected biting midges with the minister reiterating that the high-risk period for bluetongue spread is when temperatures are warmer between April and November.
“Thankfully, given the temperatures at this time of year, the disease cannot currently be spread by midges. My Department is undertaking surveillance across the country to detect the presence of further incursions.
“While animal movement controls may be required if the circumstances indicate it, based on the information currently available, the veterinary epidemiological risk assessment is that animal movement controls are not necessary. As such, there are no immediate plans to establish restriction zones here,” he said.
Read more
Much higher likelihood of Irish cattle being exposed to bluetongue this summer
Explainer: everything we know about bluetongue in Ireland so far
ICMSA calls on Department to issue more bluetongue advice
Two new cases of bluetongue have been confirmed in cattle in Ireland in recent days.
It brings to six the number of outbreaks on farms in Ireland.
Up until now, outbreaks in cattle had been confirmed on four farms in Wexford.
Bluetongue has been confirmed on a fifth farm in Wexford, while the location of the sixth case has yet to be confirmed.
Speaking in the Dáil on Tuesday afternoon, the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said that since the first detection of bluetongue virus in Ireland on 22 January, infection has since been detected in five cattle herds in Co Wexford.
Investigations
“A further infection was detected last week in a bovine which had been in a number of counties during the possible infection period, and investigations are now ongoing into that case.
“While this is an unwelcome development, it is not unexpected as this virus has been spreading across Europe and Britain and was found in Northern Ireland in December 2025,” he said.
He said there is no public health risk associated with bluetongue.
“Bluetongue does not affect human health or food safety, and meat and milk are safe to eat and drink. I acknowledge the stress that the presence of bluetongue must be causing farmers generally, especially in the south east,” he said.
Surveillance
Bluetongue is spread by infected biting midges with the minister reiterating that the high-risk period for bluetongue spread is when temperatures are warmer between April and November.
“Thankfully, given the temperatures at this time of year, the disease cannot currently be spread by midges. My Department is undertaking surveillance across the country to detect the presence of further incursions.
“While animal movement controls may be required if the circumstances indicate it, based on the information currently available, the veterinary epidemiological risk assessment is that animal movement controls are not necessary. As such, there are no immediate plans to establish restriction zones here,” he said.
Read more
Much higher likelihood of Irish cattle being exposed to bluetongue this summer
Explainer: everything we know about bluetongue in Ireland so far
ICMSA calls on Department to issue more bluetongue advice
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