“The swelling of the lips and tongue — particularly in sheep — are the really obvious signs,” Dr Donlon explained. “The virus attacks the blood vessels, causing them to leak, and that leads to oedema in the lips and tongue. Farmers are advised to consult their vet if animals appear unwell, but Dr Donlon said suspected bluetongue cases should also be reported to the Department of Agriculture. He added that all animals in a bluetongue outbreak are likely to go through a recovery period, during which weight gain is reduced. “Cattle replicate the virus quite a lot, so they can effectively ‘hypercharge’ the virus,” Dr Donlon said.

Source: Irish Examiner January 05, 2026 17:05 UTC