Bluetongue Update
Please find below Bluetongue Update No. 2 of 2024 to include updates on BTV-3 in England and the lifting of the temporary control zones TCZs.
Bluetongue Update (pdf 395Kb)
- Due to the current seasonally vector low period; vector (midge) activity is reduced.
- Disease control measures put in place by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in the UK, have recently changed.
- On 19/02/2024 the following updates were provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in the UK:
o There are 112 bluetongue cases in England on 64 premises in 3 counties.
o There are 106 cases in cattle and 6 cases in sheep.
o There is still no evidence that bluetongue virus is currently circulating in midges in Great Britain.
o Lifting of the temporary control zones (TCZs) in Kent, Norfolk and parts of Suffolk.
o Higher risk animals including positive pregnant animals, positive entire males and animals waiting to be tested for Bluetongue, will remain under restrictions as well as premises in the zones which have not yet been sampled.
- All moves of ruminants from Great Britain to the island of Ireland (including Northern Ireland) will continue to be temporarily suspended.
- Germinal products (semen, embryos) may be imported into the EU from GB, once the relevant attestations for BTV can be met.
- Farmers, veterinary practitioners and other relevant stakeholders should continue to remain vigilant for any suspicion of Bluetongue.
- Further information on Bluetongue is available on DAFM’s website: www.gov.ie/bluetongue