Bluetongue Virus Update No.3 of 2025
- Bluetongue Virus Update No.3 of 2025 (pdf 4,190Kb)
Please see above ‘Bluetongue Virus Update No 3 of 2025’:
- The higher risk period for incursion of windblown bluetongue virus infected midges from GB and mainland Europe is coming to an end as temperatures steadily decrease. Vigilance is critical to detect cases promptly before the virus becomes established in local livestock and midge populations. Early detection would help to protect Ireland’s bluetongue disease free status.
- Serotype BTV-3 continues to circulate in England (43 cases reported since July 2025) in and mainland Europe. BTV-8 is also circulating widely in mainland Europe and has been reported for the first time in Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia.
- BTV-3 vaccination is now permitted in Northern Ireland (NI) with a DAERA-issued specific licence. It remains a bluetongue disease-free country, therefore movements of vaccinated ruminants from NI to Ireland are still permitted subject to all usual conditions.