Bluetongue virus in Wexford herd and suspected case in Portavogie

A cow in a herd in the Republic of Ireland has the bluetongue virus (BTV), while a fifth suspected case is also being investigated in Northern Ireland.

The case in County Wexford is the latest confirmed case of the virus, after cases were found in Northern Ireland in December.

The Irish Minister for Agriculture said the news is unwelcome but unsurprising, "given the spread of this virus across Europe, Great Britain and recently Northern Ireland".

Spread by midges, bluetongue poses no threat to the public or food safety but can affect cloven-hoofed animals like sheep and cattle.

Martin Heydon said the rising temperatures play a part in the spread of the virus through midges.

"The recent seasonal drop in temperatures means that infection is unlikely to spread widely at the current time. Investigations are ongoing with additional sampling taking place so that we can understand the epidemiological situation", he said.

The minister also urged farmers to vaccinate their animals.

"I encourage cattle and sheep farmers to discuss with their private veterinary practitioner whether vaccination is appropriate for their circumstances."

President of Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) Denis Drennan told RTÉ the news is "hugely worrying for the family concerned and the wider farming community".

It comes as a fifth suspected case of the virus is being investigated at a farm in Portavogie in County Down.

The village falls within the Temporary Control Zone, where farmers must meet additional requirements before moving high-risk animals – particular categories of cattle, sheep, goats, llamas, deer and alpacas.

Signs of the disease were detected as a result of pre-movement testing.

It is the first suspected case to be detected this year.

Bluetongue virus (BTV-3) affects cattle, goats, sheep, deer and camelids such as llamas and alpacas.

It can cause ulcers or sores around the animal's mouth and face, difficulties swallowing and breathing, fever and lameness, foetal deformities and stillbirths.

The latest outbreak began in the Netherlands in 2023, where tens of thousands of sheep died, and midges blown over from the continent began infecting livestock in the south-east of England too.

But the impact of BTV-3 seems to vary considerably across different regions, with some animals showing little sign of infection and managing to recover.