Latest figures show Bluetongue cases surge nationally

Ireland’s bluetongue outbreak has accelerated sharply, with confirmed infections rising to 88 livestock herds by November 5, comprising of 82 cattle herds and six sheep flocks.

The latest Department of Agriculture figures represent an increase of 67 cases since October 2, when 21 infections were recorded, and 60 since October 10. The surge equates to almost two new herd detections per day over the past month alone.

Infections have now been confirmed across 15 counties, with Wexford accounting for more than one-third of the national total. The Model County has recorded 30 cases, comprising 28 bovine and two ovine herds.

Waterford is the second worst-affected county, with 10 bovine cases, followed by Cork and Kildare with nine each. Kildare’s total includes eight cattle herds and one sheep flock.

Kilkenny has recorded seven bovine cases, while Wicklow has six cattle and one sheep case. Meath has six infections, comprising five bovine and one ovine. Louth and Tipperary have recorded two cases each, while Dublin, Leitrim, Longford, Monaghan, Roscommon and Westmeath have one bovine case apiece.

While initial detections were concentrated in the south-east, the latest figures demonstrate a much wider geographical spread, extending into neighbouring counties Meath and Leitrim.

Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) was first detected in Ireland in January 2026 through surveillance testing of cattle blood samples from a Wexford herd. Subsequent investigations identified further infections, including a Monaghan case confirmed through testing of an animal slaughtered in November 2025.

The number of infected herds stood at 12 by the end of March, rising to 21 by October 2, 28 by October 10 and 88 by November 5.

Modelling by the Department suggests the virus first entered Ireland around September 2025, carried by infected midges from outbreak areas in England. While some early infections were identified through surveillance without apparent clinical signs, more recent cases have involved animals displaying symptoms including drooling, mouth ulcers, watery eyes, lameness and crusty noses and teats.

Vaccination remains the principal means of mitigating losses. More than 5.7 million doses of BTV-3 vaccine have been licensed for import since January, although the Department does not track actual vaccination numbers.

The outbreak has also disrupted livestock trade, with veterinary certification restrictions affecting cattle and sheep movements for breeding and production to EU member states, Britain and Northern Ireland. The Department is working to renegotiate health certificates to maintain export access.

Farmers are encouraged to submit carcases from unexplained livestock deaths and samples from animals showing suspected clinical signs for veterinary investigation.