Bluetongue virus latest news

7 July 2025

The latest updates, news and advice about the current bluetongue virus (BTV-3) situation in the UK.

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. 

Vaccination

Defra’s Secretary of State has permitted the use of three bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines within the UK, subject to a valid licence or declaration.

For more information about the vaccines, see our vaccine comparison tables.

Vaccination cost calculator

Calculate how much it will cost to vaccinate your livestock against bluetongue virus and how much it could save you using our interactive calculators.

Moving animals and pre-movement testing

Bluetongue movements checker tool

Use this interactive tool to find the correct advice and licensing requirements for moving animals within or across a border within Great Britain.

It will help you find what movement licences are needed, as well as highlighting when pre-movement testing and or vaccination is required as a legal stipulation of a movement.

There are specific answers for moves to other farm premises, shows, markets or abattoirs, taking into account the devolved Government policies on BTV-3across England, Wales and Scotland.

Test validity

From 1 July 2025 onwards, pre-movement tests are valid for seven calendar days after sample collection.

You should complete your licence application in good time, and time your testing to ensure samples are valid on the planned move date.

England

From 1 July 2025 the bluetongue restricted zone was extended to cover the whole of England. You can now move susceptible animals within England without a specific bluetongue licence or pre-movement testing.

You will need to have a specific licence to freeze germinal products (semen, ova and embryo) within the restricted zone and testing will be required.

Scotland

If you want to move animals from a BTV-3 restricted zone to live in Scotland, you need a specific movement licence issued by APHA which confirms the animals have:

• A valid pre-movement test (at your expense), or
• Vaccination with the Boehringer Ingelheim Bultavo-3 vaccine (for cattle only), and
• Have no clinical signs

Movements of sheep are currently not permitted without a negative BTV-3 pre-movement test, even if they are vaccinated.

Wales

If you want to move animals from a BTV-3 restricted zone to live in Wales, you need a specific movement licence issued by APHA which confirms the animals have:

• A valid pre-movement test (at your expense), or
• Vaccination with the Boehringer Ingelheim Bultavo-3 vaccine (for cattle only), and
• Have no clinical signs

Sheep also require an accompanying licence to move into Wales from the England restriction zone.

If an animal is showing clinical signs of BTV-3 on the day of transport they cannot move to Wales.

Collecting samples

You must commission your own private veterinary surgeon to collect samples at your cost.

Guidance on collecting and sending samples can be found on the Improve International and Pirbright Institute websites; this guidance must be followed if using a private veterinary surgeon.

Samples must be submitted directly to the Pirbright Institute.

Vets and stakeholders across the ruminant sector are being urged to support a new industry campaign – Battle Bluetongue – which encourages farmers in England to consult their vet about vaccinating their herd or flock against bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3).

The three key messages are:

1. Assess your risk: vets and farmers working together to evaluate the risk to BTV-3 on farms by using our vaccination calculators and decision-making tool.
2. Protect your business: safeguard businesses from restrictions by managing all identified risks that can be controlled on livestock holdings.
3. Defend your stock: vaccinate the right animals for BTV-3 to reduce transmission and stop the spread.

Decision-making tool

Understand your risk factors and develop a farm-specific plan with your vet using our decision-making tool.

Email ruminantHW@ahdb.org.uk for more information and to request a Battle Bluetongue campaign pack or visit the Ruminant Health and Welfare website.

Bluetongue virus webinars

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.

Where is bluetongue?

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

Farmers and the industry are reminded they must remain Aware, apply Caution and use evidence-based Tactics (ACT) to mitigate against the virus.

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.

Clinical signs include:

• Lameness
• Lethargy
• Ulcers/sores around nose and mout
• Fever
• Not eating
• Milk drop

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.