Bluetongue virus latest news

The latest updates, news and advice about the current bluetongue virus (BTV3) situation in the UK.

18 July 2024

There are currently no live cases of bluetongue virus and no evidence that there is circulating bluetongue virus in England. However, given the increase in temperature, there is now an increased risk and bluetongue transmission is possible.

Chris Sanders, Research Fellow in Veterinary Entomology at the Pirbright Institute, explained the reason why the temperature increase has a significant bearing on the threat the new strain of bluetongue, BTV-3, virus poses to UK livestock.

"While there are currently no live cases of BTV-3 in the UK, and no evidence that there is circulating bluetongue virus, with the warmer temperatures we’ve recently seen, we know that the activity of biting midges that spread the virus has increased. The development of BTV in midges also depends on the temperature."

The Government has set out how it will work with the farming industry to manage an outbreak of bluetongue virus in England this year. Read more on the Government website.

Free testing

Free testing for bluetongue virus is available if you plan to move animals out of high-risk counties e.g. for sale to another farm or a market outside a high-risk county.

Note: You need to apply for free testing at least 10 working days before the planned movement or market date.

Bluetongue is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.

If you have further questions or if you would like to speak to someone, call the AHDB bluetongue hotline on 024 7771 0386. 

What is bluetongue?

Bluetongue is a non-contagious, viral disease affecting domestic and wild ruminants (sheep, cattle, goats and deer), which is transmitted by biting midges. It does not affect people or food safety, but outbreaks can result in prolonged animal movement and trade restrictions.

It has a significant global distribution in regions where the insect vector (i.e. biting midges species Culicoides) is present, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. 

Outbreaks occur when susceptible sheep, particularly European breeds, are introduced to endemic areas or when the virus is introduced to a region by windborne movement of infected Culicoides.  It can also be introduced through the import of an infected animal or germinal products (semen or embryos).

Infected cattle play a significant role in maintaining the virus in a region. Cattle may serve as a source of the virus for several weeks while displaying little or no clinical signs of disease and are often the preferred host for insect vectors.

A series of FAQs have been developed with Defra and the wider industry to ensure farmers and vets have factual, up-to-date information on bluetongue (BTV) during vector high-risk periods. 

Our series of webinars provide the latest updates and presentations from industry experts on bluetongue.

The webinars offer vet practitioners and other stakeholders valuable technical information about BTV-3 that will help answer farmers' questions.

If you miss any of the webinars, you can catch up with the recordings on YouTube.