Midges that are currently lying dormant and still infected with the bluetongue virus are the real concern, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has stressed.
He highlighted how this disease is not passed from animal to animal. It is passed through a midge landing and biting an infected animal and then biting another animal.
"It is not as big a concern that an animal had it here last year. A number of animals displaying antibodies now, showing they had it last year, gives us the concern that midges in that area were infected with it last year. These midges are lying dormant at present.
"Will some of them still have the disease when the temperature goes back up to spread it? That is the real concern," he said in response to a parliamentary question this week.
Positive cases
There are currently 11 positive cases across four farms in Co Wexford.
The first positive case was found last week following routine testing of a cull cow that had been slaughtered, with seven animals in total now confirmed as having the virus from that farm.
The three new herds that have bluetongue are in the vicinity of the original herd.
The Minister has assured farmers that midge activity can only spread disease when the temperature is over a constant 12°C.
"So we are really in the high-risk period from April or May until October. This animal had it last year and did not present symptoms.
"The other 10 animals that have tested positive since are not displaying symptoms. Many of them tested positive for the antibodies, which means they had it last year.
"An animal is only infectious for approximately 60 days, but it retains the antibodies," Minister Heydon said.
However, most animals do present symptoms, he added, asking farmers to be vigilant.
"If an animal is sick or if farmers see unusual behaviour, they should contact their private vet," he urged.
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Bluetongue: three more farms test positive for virus
Midges that are currently lying dormant and still infected with the bluetongue virus are the real concern, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has stressed.
He highlighted how this disease is not passed from animal to animal. It is passed through a midge landing and biting an infected animal and then biting another animal.
"It is not as big a concern that an animal had it here last year. A number of animals displaying antibodies now, showing they had it last year, gives us the concern that midges in that area were infected with it last year. These midges are lying dormant at present.
"Will some of them still have the disease when the temperature goes back up to spread it? That is the real concern," he said in response to a parliamentary question this week.
Positive cases
There are currently 11 positive cases across four farms in Co Wexford.
The first positive case was found last week following routine testing of a cull cow that had been slaughtered, with seven animals in total now confirmed as having the virus from that farm.
The three new herds that have bluetongue are in the vicinity of the original herd.
The Minister has assured farmers that midge activity can only spread disease when the temperature is over a constant 12°C.
"So we are really in the high-risk period from April or May until October. This animal had it last year and did not present symptoms.
"The other 10 animals that have tested positive since are not displaying symptoms. Many of them tested positive for the antibodies, which means they had it last year.
"An animal is only infectious for approximately 60 days, but it retains the antibodies," Minister Heydon said.
However, most animals do present symptoms, he added, asking farmers to be vigilant.
"If an animal is sick or if farmers see unusual behaviour, they should contact their private vet," he urged.
Read more
Bluetongue: three more farms test positive for virus
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