NSW Department of Primary Industries and the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) confirmed the presence of bluetongue virus (BTV) in samples from four sheep properties.

The detection of the virus was confirmed by qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) at ACDP on 15 March 2024. As of 26 April 2024, BTV has been detected on 32 clinically affected sheep
properties, all within the NSW BTV transmission zone.

This detection does not change Australia’s status for bluetongue virus, as reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

Bluetongue transmission is seasonal and is dependent on the activity of the Culicoides brevitarsis midge. Affected farms are being monitored for the recovery of impacted livestock, which is
expected to occur with the onset of winter and declining temperatures.

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