[REVISION HISTORY]

UK and Ireland Bluetongue virus outbreak 2026

22 recorded revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-04 03:11 UTC → 2026-10-26 10:16 UTC · added ~~removed~~

By ~~early~~ late October 2026, the Bluetongue virus (BTV-3) outbreak has ~~expanded significantly~~ reached unprecedented levels across the British Isles. In Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed infections across multiple counties, including Wexford, Wicklow, Kildare, Laois, Louth, Monaghan, Cork, ~~and Tipperary. On October 1, DAFM confirmed six new cases, extending the virus footprint into~~ Tipperary, Dublin, Waterford, and Roscommon. Recent data indicates cattle are being affected more frequently than sheep, with ~~clinical~~ symptoms including mouth ulcers, lameness, ~~excessive salivation,~~ and ~~crusty noses or teats.~~ excessive salivation. In Great Britain, the ~~outbreak~~ 2026-2027 season has ~~reached what farmers describe as~~ become the most severe ~~season~~ on record. ~~Data from~~ Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) ~~shows~~ report that cases ~~for the 2026-2027 season~~ have ~~already~~ exceeded 2,500, surpassing the combined totals of the previous three ~~seasons~~ seasons. The outbreak has caused significant livestock losses, particularly in ~~just three months. Severe infections can lead to abortions, stillbirths, and death.~~ Southwest England. In ~~response to the spread,~~ Devon, economic modeling suggests the ~~Scottish Government announced it will extend~~ impact on the ~~bluetongue restricted zone~~ rural economy could reach millions of pounds, with farmers reporting exhaustion from managing sick animals and concerns over long-term fertility in breeding stock. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) has issued an urgent call for government action to ~~encompass the entire country starting October 3~~ protect vulnerable livestock, noting that vaccination coverage among some rare breeds is below 20%. They have urged Defra to ~~simplify trading.~~ facilitate safe vaccine sharing to protect genetic diversity. While the virus poses no risk to human health or food safety, the economic ~~impact~~ and psychological toll is substantial. The National Farmers’ Union ~~has noted that while vaccination is an option,~~ and other industry bodies continue to highlight challenges in securing vaccine supplies ~~has been challenging~~ due to ~~the demand-led nature of the process. Academics and experts~~ high demand. Experts from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) ~~have linked the trend of midge-driven transmission to~~ maintain that rising temperatures caused by climate ~~change.~~ change are driving the midge-led transmission.

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