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Bluetongue virus latest news
20 December 2024
The latest updates, news and advice about the current bluetongue virus (BTV-3) situation in the UK.
What to do if you suspect an animal has bluetongue
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.
View the latest situation from Defra
Allow extra time for APHA to process your licence application over the Christmas period.
Sign up for disease alertsBluetongue 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.
Latest situation
Where is bluetongue?
View the interactive bluetongue virus map
Frequently asked questions
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.
Moving animals
Some premises in England are under bluetongue restrictions. Control measures in restricted zones place restrictions on the movement of livestock and germinal products.
Conditions for allowing movements change as the disease situation changes. If you want to move animals, you must check the up-to-date requirements on the GOV.UK website.
You may need to:
- Download and comply with the conditions of a General Licence
- Apply for a specific licence for movement
Allow extra time for APHA to process your licence application over the Christmas period.
Farms that have any land within a Restricted Zone, or straddle a boundary, are classified as being within the Restricted Zone.
In Restricted Zones, more movement of animals is likely to risk causing more spread of the virus. Please think – is the move really necessary? If not, please do not move.
Animals within the Restricted Zone are allowed to move under general licence to other premises within the Restricted Zone without a licence. This includes to an abattoir within the Restricted Zone.
Please take precautions when moving and checking your stock for possible signs of disease and spray the inside of vehicles with insecticide before loading.
Please only move animals when absolutely necessary.
- Animals may be moved into a market within the Restricted Zone but on leaving the market cannot be moved to premises outside of the zone
- Moves to markets outside the zones are not currently allowed
- Animals within the Restricted Zone may move to a designated abattoir outside the Restricted Zone using a general licence (EXD603), but you must apply for a specific licence to do so
Please read and fully comply with the terms of that licence to avoid spreading disease outside of the zone.
You cannot move animals to premises located outside the zone without a specific licence.
Affected animals in the Restricted Zone will not be culled. If cases occur outside the Restricted Zone, whether culling occurs or not will be decided by Defra.
APHA is conducting active surveillance around affected premises but the main focus of surveillance will now be at the edge of the zones.
Germinal products, like semen, cannot be frozen within the zone and existing material cannot be moved out except under specific licence.
| Type of movement | Current status | Legislation applicable Restricted Zone (RZ)/Infected Area (IA) |
|---|---|---|
| Movements to markets for breeding sales |
You can move breeding animals to bluetongue-approved, dedicated breeding markets as long as:
|
EXD606(E) General licence for the movement of animals from a bluetongue zone to a bluetongue approved dedicated breeding sale located outside the bluetongue zone of origin |
| Movement of BTV3 vaccinated animals from within the RZ to outside the RZ |
You must apply for a specific licence. BTV-3 vaccinated animals are able to move from the RZ to the free area in England subject to pre- and post-movement testing.
|
Apply for an exemption from animal disease movement restrictions |
| Movement of animals from a holding within the RZ to a designated slaughterhouse | This movement is allowed under a general licence |
EXD603(E) (GL)
|
| Movement of animals from a holding within the RZ to an abattoir within the RZ |
This movement is allowed under a general licence. The source premises must not be under a bluetongue premises restriction notice. The destination premises must not be under a bluetongue premises restriction notice. |
EXD612(E) (GL) General licence under the Movement of Animals (Restrictions) (England) Order 2002 (as amended) Download the licence |
| Movement of animals from a holding within the RZ to another holding within the RZ |
This movement is allowed under a general licence. The source premises must not be under a bluetongue premises restriction notice. The destination premises must not be under a bluetongue premises restriction notice. |
EXD612(E) (GL) General licence under the Movement of Animals (Restrictions) (England) Order 2002 (as amended) Download the licence |
| Movement of animals from a free area into the RZ |
This movement is allowed under a general licence. The source premises must not be under a bluetongue premises restriction notice. The destination premises must not be under a bluetongue premises restriction notice. |
EXD612(E) (GL) General licence under the Movement of Animals (Restrictions) (England) Order 2002 (as amended) Download the licence |
| Movement of animals within the RZ to a market also within the RZ |
This movement is allowed under a general licence. The source premises must not be under a bluetongue premises restriction notice. The destination premises must not be under a bluetongue premises restriction notice. |
EXD612(E) (GL) General licence under the Movement of Animals (Restrictions) (England) Order 2002 (as amended) Download the licence |
|
Movement of animals from a bluetongue zone to a bluetongue-approved dedicated breeding sale located outside the bluetongue zone of origin |
Licence required |
EXD606(E) General licence for the movement of animals from a bluetongue zone to a bluetongue approved dedicated breeding sale located outside the bluetongue zone of origin |
|
Movement of animals from a holding* within the RZ out of the RZ to live. *The holding must not be under BTV premises restriction |
You must apply for a specific licence | Apply for an exemption from animal disease movement restrictions |
| Movement of animals from a holding within the RZ to a market outside the RZ | Movement not permitted | Movement not permitted |
| Movement of animals purchased at a market within the RZ to a destination outside the RZ | Movement not permitted | Movement not permitted |
| Movement of animals from holdings which have land within the RZ which straddles the boundary |
These holdings are classified as being within the RZ. Animals within the boundary of the RZ cannot move outside the RZ without a specific licence. If in doubt call the Bluetongue hotline 024 7771 0386 |
Apply for an exemption from animal disease movement restrictions |
| For movements from a holding within the RZ to an approved ‘red market’ outside a RZ for the purpose of direct sale to a designated slaughterhouse or RZ slaughterhouse for immediate slaughter |
This movement is allowed under a general licence |
General licence EXD 627 (E) |
| For movements from an approved ‘red market’ to a designated slaughterhouse or RZ slaughterhouse for immediate slaughter. | This movement is allowed under a general licence |
General licence EXD 628 (E) |
| Collection and freezing of germinal products in the RZ | If you wish to freeze germinal products in the RZ, you must obtain a specific licence. If you operate a germinal product collection centre, you may apply to be designated. |
Apply for an exemption from animal disease movement restrictions |
| Movement of germinal products within the RZ | This movement is allowed and a licence is not required | Not applicable |
| Movement of germinal products from within the RZ to outside the RZ | You must apply for a specific licence | Apply for an exemption from animal disease movement restrictions |
The information in this table is correct as of 6 November 2024, however, it is subject to change. Please visit the GOV.UK website for the most up to date licencing information.
Check the latest movement licences and designated slaughterhouses (GOV.UK)
Farmers and the industry are reminded they must remain Aware, apply Caution and use evidence-based Tactics (ACT) to mitigate against the virus.
- Awareness of how BTV-3 is transmitted as a vector-borne disease
- Caution against any misinformation, but instead view the latest facts
- Tactics on farm to help with midge control must be evidence-based
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.
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
View photos of the clinical signs of bluetongue
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.
Find out more about BTV, including how to spot, prevent and control it
Further information about bluetongue
If you have questions or if you would like to speak to someone about bluetongue, please call the AHDB bluetongue virus hotline: 024 7771 0386
Visit the Ruminant Health & Welfare website
Download a quick reference factsheet
Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease (GOV.UK)