Bluetongue's arrival: The facts about the disease disrupting Europe

"Bluetongue is an exotic viral disease caused by the bluetongue virus (BTV) and is classed as a notifiable disease, meaning any suspected case must be reported to the Department of Agriculture immediately. The virus can cause severe clinical illness and in some cases death in ruminant species such as cattle, sheep, goats and deer, as well as camelids including llamas and alpacas. While its impact on farm animals can be devastating, there is no risk to human health or food safety."

"Bluetongue is primarily transmitted by infected biting midges. These midges are found throughout Ireland, and their activity is heavily influenced by weather conditions. The virus can only replicate in midges when daily temperatures exceed 12°C. Traditionally, the highest risk period runs from April to November, though milder winters could extend activity. Wind can carry infected midges over long distances, potentially transporting the virus from affected regions abroad."

"While the country had long hoped its island geography might shield it from the disease that has swept across Europe, its arrival in Northern Ireland late last year and now in the Republic is a blow to the sector. The Department of Agriculture has confirmed that a single bovine in Co Wexford has tested positive for bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV‑3). The case was detected through the Department's routine ongoing surveillance programme, which is designed to identify the disease as early as possible."

Bluetongue is an infectious viral disease of ruminants and camelids that can cause severe clinical illness and death in cattle, sheep, goats, deer, llamas and alpacas. There is no risk to human health or food safety. Multiple serotypes exist; the Wexford detection involves serotype 3 (BTV‑3), which has been spreading across northern Europe. Transmission occurs mainly via infected biting midges, which require daily temperatures above 12°C to support viral replication and whose activity is influenced by weather and wind. The virus can also spread vertically and through blood, semen and embryos. A single bovine in County Wexford tested positive, detected by routine surveillance.

Read at Irish Independent