A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture has said that over 16,800 samples have been tested for the bluetongue virus (BTV) in Department laboratories so far this year.
This follows on from the identification of bluetongue in a blood sample of an animal from a farm in Co Monaghan which was slaughtered last November 2025 in recent weeks.
The positive sample was found during testing undertaken by the Department for Agriculture of cattle blood samples which were taken for other disease detection purposes.
Twelve herds in the Republic of Ireland have had identified cases of bluetongue serotype 3 since January 2026.
The counties with identified cases are Wexford, Wicklow, Louth, Monaghan and Laois.
The spokesperson commented on the animal tested positive in Laois, saying: “The animal was tested while it was located in Kildare, but had previously been in Laois.”
Vaccines
The Department has said that uptake of the bluetongue vaccine has been strong, showing an increasing awareness of the risks associated with the spread of the virus.
The spokesperson said: “As of 23 March, the Department has issued 243 BTV licences to private veterinary practitioners, which allows them to prescribe the BTV3 vaccines.”
Additionally, according to the national veterinary prescription system, data shows that 1,157 cattle herds and 53 sheep flocks have had prescriptions issued for bluetongue vaccines.
Bluetongue found in Monaghan animal slaughtered last November