Bluetongue Update No. 1 of 2026
Please see here NDCC Bluetongue BTV Update 1 of 2026 (pdf 374Kb)
- Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV3) infection has been confirmed in one herd in Co. Wexford.
This is the first occurrence of BTV infection in a homebred animal in Ireland.
- Bluetongue virus is spread by infected biting midges (Culicoides species) which are present in Ireland and are generally most active between April and November.
- Ongoing surveillance is being carried out to ensure early detection in additional herds.
- BTV-3 vaccines are permitted in Ireland under licence.
BTV-3 vaccines do not fully stop infection/disease but greatly reduce viremia and severity of clinical symptoms.
- Bluetongue cases Reported across Great Britain.There have been 272 cases of bluetongue in Great Britain since July 2025. 251 in England (243 cases of only BTV-3, 1 case of only BTV-8 and 7 cases with both BTV-3 and BTV-8), 21 cases in Wales (BTV-3) and no cases in Scotland.