Bluetongue virus latest news

9 March 2026

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

Latest situation

There have been 304 cases of bluetongue in Great Britain in the 2025 bluetongue season (since July 2025).

• In England, there have been 282 cases of bluetongue – including 274 cases of only BTV-3, 1 case of only BTV-8 and 7 cases with both BTV-3 and BTV-8
• In Wales, there have been 22 cases of BTV-3
• There have been no cases in Scotland
• In Northern Ireland, there have been 5 confirmed case of BTV-3

The location of all premises in Great Britain where one or more animals have tested positive by PCR to bluetongue serotype 3, serotype 8 or serotype 12 is available on the bluetongue case map.

Bluetongue is a notifiable animal disease – if you suspect it you must report it immediately.

In England, call 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. 

Bluetongue is a non-contagious, viral disease affecting domestic and wild ruminants and camelids, 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.

Two serotypes – BTV-3 and BTV-8 – have been confirmed in Great Britain in the 2025/26 vector season.

It is important to note the BTV-3 vaccines available in the UK do not provide protection for BTV-8 or any other serotypes.

• Abortion, foetal deformities and stillbirths
• Discharge from the eyes and drooling from mouth
• Fever
• Lameness
• Lethargy
• Milk drop
• Not eating
• Ulcers/sores around nose and mouth

Calves and lambs can become infected with BTV before birth if the mother is infected while pregnant. This can result in offspring being born small, weak, deformed and/or blind, and death within a few days of birth.

Signs of ‘dummy’ calves can include:

• Circling
• Difficulty standing and a wide-based gait
• Head pressing and seizures
• Lack of a suck reflex
• Stargazing

Vaccination

During the 2025/26 vector season, most cases in the UK have been BTV-3, for which there are vaccines available in good supply.

BTV-8 vaccines are available but will need to be imported under a Special Import Certificate (SIC).

Speak to your vet for more information about the vaccines and explore our vaccine comparison tables.

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

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.

Our 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 that will help answer farmers' questions.

You can also submit questions ahead of the webinars.

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

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-3 across England, Wales and Scotland.

Regional requirements

Pre-movement testing requirements vary by region – check the latest situation in your area using the links below.

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 BTV.

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 tools.
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.

We're asking sheep scanners to share practical guidance on fertility issues and encourage farmers to consult their vet if scanning results are lower than expected.

To help you understand the issues, we'll be sharing resources specifically for scanners on the Ruminant Health & Welfare website. 

If you're a sheep scanner and would like to be kept up to date with the latest information and resources, complete our short form to be added to our directory.

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.