291. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of animals that have been tested for bluetongue virus since 1 January 2026 to date; and the number that have come back as positive. [65995/26]

292. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of animals both bovine and ovine have been vaccinated against bluetongue virus since January 2026. [65997/26]

293. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is tracing where the bluetongue virus that has been found in animals in Kildare and Wexford recently originated; and the actions his Department is taking to combat this virus. [66002/26]

294. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is conducting testing of animals on surrounding farms of the two cases where bluetongue has been found in Wexford and Kildare in recent weeks. [65999/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 291, 292, 293 and 294 together.

Since 1 January 2026 to date, over 11,000 animals have been sampled and tested for antibodies to Bluetongue virus (ELISA) and close to 4,000 animals have been sampled and tested for presence of Bluetongue Virus through PCR in my Department’s laboratories. Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) PCR positive animals have been detected and notified to the WOAH in 12 bovine herds across the counties of Wexford, Wicklow, Laois, Louth, Monaghan, Kildare, Cork and Tipperary. My Department's surveillance aims to identify broad geographical areas where Bluetongue Virus is present to guide on-farm decision making relating to vaccination in association with their veterinary practitioners.

Over 5.7 million doses of BTV-3 vaccines have been licenced for import into Ireland since January 2026. My Department does not track the number of bovines and ovines vaccinated as this remains a commercial matter between livestock owners and their private veterinary practitioners.

An epidemiological investigation and additional testing has been undertaken by my Department in relation to holdings where bluetongue has been detected in recent weeks in Counties Wexford and Kildare. Vaccination remains the best tool with which to combat bluetongue virus. I urge farmers who have not already done so to talk to their private veterinary practitioner to decide whether vaccination is right for their flock or herd.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease in Ireland. Where a veterinary practitioner suspects a case of the virus, the regional veterinary office should be contacted so that the case may be investigated. If the disease cannot be ruled out on clinical examination, Departmental Veterinary Inspectors will take samples for laboratory testing.

Additional information on bluetongue virus can be found on the Government website at: www.gov.ie/bluetongue.