Dr. Murchie stated that the number of cases is expected to “ramp up in the coming weeks” due to the temperature-driven nature of the disease, where hot weather accelerates its transmission. While Ireland remains officially free of the disease, the risk of its introduction is considered strong. The virus’s increasing presence in the UK and across Europe puts Irish dairy and livestock farmers on high alert, emphasizing the critical need for proactive measures to protect herds.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) in Ireland has stressed that the best defense against bluetongue is early detection and eradication. DAFM has reminded farmers that this is a notifiable exotic viral disease, and any farmer or veterinarian who observes symptoms is legally required to report them immediately. This highlights the vital role of reporting and rapid response in preventing a widespread outbreak within the agribusiness sector.

In terms of prevention, three inactivated vaccines for the BTV-3 serotype are now available in Europe. However, DAFM notes that these vaccines, while effective at reducing clinical signs and viral levels in the blood, do not claim to prevent an animal from becoming infected entirely. This means vaccinated animals can still contract the virus, although the rate of spread would be significantly slower, offering a layer of protection but not full immunity.