A dead ram on a farm in Co Wexford has tested positive for bluetongue virus serotype three (BTV-3).
The positive test is the first confirmed case of bluetongue in a sheep in Ireland.
The Department of Agriculture confirmed that it is conducting further investigation on the farm and testing of the remaining sheep in the flock is under way.
The number of confirmed cases of bluetongue on Irish farms has escalated in recent days, following a confirmed case of bluetongue in a cow on a 47-head Kildare suckler farm two weeks ago.
The cow showed clinical symptoms for the disease, including the abortion of her calf.
Since then, three further suspect cattle tested positive for bluetongue in three separate herds in counties Wexford, Wicklow and Kildare.
All three animals exhibited various clinical signs before testing.
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