The number of confirmed cases of bluetongue in sheep and cattle has increased by more than 40%, in just a matter of days.
Since the last update on Monday of this week, case numbers have grown from 26 to 37, with a third case confirmed in a sheep in Ireland, in Co Wicklow.
Kilkenny has had its first confirmed case of the disease, in a bovine.
So far this season, there have now been 34 confirmed bluetongue cases in cattle and three in sheep.
The latest burst of cases, 11 new cases in four days, is significant when compared to the slower spread of the disease over the past month, which has seen case numbers rise by three to four cases every week.
Impacted counties
In total, 12 counties have now had confirmed cases of bluetongue this season.
Wexford remains the county with the highest level of the disease, with 13 confirmed cases, including 12 in cattle and one in a sheep.
Waterford has seen its case numbers grow in recent days also, with five confirmed cases, all in cattle.
Kildare has had six confirmed cases of bluetongue, five in cattle and one in sheep.
The list of impacted counties includes Cork, Monaghan, Longford, Westmeath, Louth, Roscommon, Waterford, Wicklow, Dublin, Kildare, Wexford, and now Kilkenny.
Cases
It is not known whether the recent burst of cases have been clinical or what symptoms the infected cattle or sheep may have shown.
Farmers are again encouraged to follow all Department of Agriculture guidance regarding the disease and to contact their local district veterinary office for testing of suspect animals.
