Bluetongue serotype 3 has been detected in three more herds on foot of ongoing surveillance testing, the Department of Agriculture confirmed on Monday.
Two of the new cases were found in post-abortion sampling in herds located in Co Louth and Co Wicklow, while the third new outbreak was discovered in Co Wexford, where the virus was first confirmed in January.
The positive Louth case came about due to a post-abortion blood sample, whereas the aborted foetus was submitted for examination in the Wicklow case.
The Department has said that the developments are not unexpected and that the cases were identified in the context of ongoing surveillance testing.
Follow-up investigations are ongoing, including the testing of additional cattle. Further information is expected to emerge over the coming days.
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The imposition of animal movement restrictions to counter any possible spread of the virus have been ruled unnecessary at this stage of the year in which midge activity is unlikely.
Furthermore, analysis that has emerged from UCD’s Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis suggests that the incursion occurred on 23 and 24 September last year.
The Department has stated that an interim trade certificate has been agreed with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in the wake of Ireland’s loss of bluetongue-free status.
The renegotiation of more veterinary health certs is ongoing to mitigate the trade impact of this change in disease status.
The Department has also reiterated that vaccines against bluetongue serotype 3 are available to purchase under licence in Ireland and that farmers wishing to assess whether or not vaccinate their flock or herd should raise the matter with their vet.
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