Farmers urged to remain vigilant following confirmed bluetongue case
The Irish Farmers' Association has urged farmers to remain vigilant following a confirmed case of the bluetongue virus in County Wexford. Officials are emphasizing the importance of monitoring livestock and vaccination as warm weather increases the risk of midge-borne transmission.
Why it matters
Bluetongue virus poses a significant economic and health threat to the agricultural sector, requiring proactive disease management.
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) animal health chair David Hall has urged farmers to remain vigilant following a recent case of the bluetongue virus in Co Wexford.
The confirmed case of BTV-3 was found in an unvaccinated, 16-month-old heifer and is the first confirmed Irish infection in 2026.
“The confirmation is concerning as we are now in the high midge activity season," Hall said. "Recent warm and damp weather has created ideal conditions for the midges that spread the disease."
He pointed to affected animals in the UK as “particularly worrying”.
“The recent increase in clinically sick cattle and sheep in the UK is particularly worrying and highlights the need for farmers here to monitor their animals closely and immediately report any suspected signs to their veterinary practitioner and the Department of Agriculture,” he said.
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