Bluetongue Virus Update No 2 of 2026

NDCC Bluetongue Virus Update No 2 of 2026

Bluetongue update 2 of 2026 (pdf 457Kb) 

• Bluetongue virus serotype-3 (BTV-3) has been confirmed in multiple cattle herds to date in Southern and Eastern areas of Ireland.
• No restriction zones or movement controls are in place.
• Bluetongue surveillance is ongoing. Current policy is to identify the geographical extent of cases to assist farmers and PVPs in the decision regarding vaccination before the high-risk season in warmer Summer-Autumn months.
• Live animal movements between Ireland and Northern Ireland can resume. A derogation from certain certification requirements is now in place (from 6^th March 2026) which will allow cattle and sheep to move with no restrictions from other member states where BTV-3 is the only serotype present.
• There are no food safety or human health risks from Bluetongue. Milk and meat are safe to consume.

BLUETONGUE IS HERE IN IRELAND

ALL LIVESTOCK STAKEHOLDERS NATIONWIDE SHOULD BE AWARE AND PREPARE.

Please address any bluetongue related queries to ndccbtv @agriculture.gov.ie

Species: Bovine, Ovine