News story

Bluetongue: latest situation

Overview of current bluetongue cases, risk level, vaccinations and restrictions.

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency
Published
4 August 2025
Last updated
259 FebruaryMarch 2026 — See all updates

Contents:

Be vigilant for signs of bluetongue and report it if you suspect it.

Total number of cases

There have been 304318 cases of bluetongue in Great Britain in the 2025 bluetongue season (since 1 July 2025). In:

  • England, there have been 282296 cases of bluetongue - including 274287 cases of only BTV-3, 12 casecases of only BTV-8 and 7 cases with both BTV-3 and BTV-8
  • Wales, there have been 22 cases of BTV-3

There have been no cases in Scotland.

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

There are 5 confirmed cases of BTV-3 in Northern Ireland.

Latest updates

246 FebruaryMarch 2026

One new case of BTV-3BTV-8 in England was confirmed on 246 FebruaryMarch 2026 following private testing:

  • 1 bovinebull in DerbyshireCornwall tested positive for BTV-8 following private testing post semen collection

235 FebruaryMarch 2026

ThreeTwo new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed on 235 FebruaryMarch 2026 following privatea testing:report of suspicious clinical signs:

  • 1 bullcalf in CheshireCornwall testedborn positiveblind followingand collectionwith ofneurological germinalsigns products
  • 1– sheepseveral inother Eastcalves Sussexwith testedsimilar positiveclinical followingsigns privatewere testingnot tested
  • 2 rewildedcalves bovines in KentCornwall testedborn positivewith followingneurological privatesigns testingand 1 cow (dam of the twin calves) tested positive

4 March 2026

One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 244 FebruaryMarch 2026 following a report of suspicious clinical signs:

  • 14 abortedbovines calf in NottinghamshireDevon testedincluding positive3 followingcows findingand the calf of abnormalone brainof developmentthe atcows postmortemfollowing examinationfertility issues and abortions in the herd

19 February 2026

One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 194 FebruaryMarch 2026 following aprivate report of suspicious clinical signs:testing:

  • 12 bovinebarren cows in Devon tested positive following private testing in Cheshire

133 FebruaryMarch 2026

FourThree new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed on 133 FebruaryMarch 2026 following reports of suspicious clinical signs:

  • 1 cowcalf andin itsCumbria 6-daywith oldbrain calfcavitation bothon testedpostmortem
  • 1 positivecow tested following the birth of theits calf within neurologicalStaffordshire signsborn inwith Buckinghamshirelesions on tongue
  • 1 cownewborn testedcalf positivein followingDevon anborn abortionwith inno Somerset
  • 1brain cowtissue testedand positive2 followingcows a(one serieswas ofthe abortionscalf’s indam)

One thenew herdcase inof BTV-3 in Cheshire

  • 1England cowwas andconfirmed 1on calf3 testedMarch positive2026 following birthprivate oftesting:

    • 1 2cow calvesin thatOxfordshire weretested blindpositive andfollowing hadprivate neurologicaltesting signspost inoocyte Derbyshirecollection

    1227 February 2026

    Two new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed on 1227 February 2026 following reportsa report of suspicious clinical signs:

    • 1 aborted8-month term bovine calf tested following finding of abnormal brain development at postmortem examination in Shropshire. Follows approximately 20 other abortions in the herdStaffordshire
    • 2 cows and 1 newborn calf testedin positiveStaffordshire followingborn birthblind of two calves with neurological signs inand Staffordshire1 cow (the calf’s dam)

    One new case of BTV-3 in WalesEngland was confirmed on 1227 February 2026 following non-negative results from private pre-movement tests:testing:

    • 1 bullbovine testedin privatelyCumbria astested partpositive offollowing pre-movementprivate testing in Denbighshire, Wales

    926 February 2026

    OneTwo new casecases of BTV-3 in England waswere confirmed on 926 February 2026 following a report of suspicious clinical signs:

    • 1 cownewborn testedcalf positivein followingDevon birthborn ofwith anneurological abnormalsigns and jaundice
    • 1 newborn calf in OxfordshireWest Sussex born with neurological signs, domed head and swelling of legs

    625 February 2026

    One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 625 February 2026 following a report of suspicious clinical signs:

    • 1 aborted bovine foetusin Cornwall with brainswollen malformationhead inand Cumbrianasal discharge

    24 February 2026

    One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 624 February 2026 following non-negative results from private tests:testing:

    • 21 cowsbovine in KentDerbyshire tested privatelypositive following severalprivate calvestesting

    23 February 2026

    Two new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed on 23 February 2026 following private testing:

    • 1 sheep in herdEast beingSussex borntested withpositive afollowing lackprivate oftesting
    • 2 coordinationrewilded andbovines inabilityin toKent sucktested positive following private testing

    5 February 2026

    One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 524 February 2026 following a report of suspicious clinical signs:

    • 21 cowsaborted testedcalf in StaffordshireNottinghamshire followingtested apositive seriesfollowing finding of abortionsabnormal inbrain thedevelopment herdat postmortem examination

    419 February 2026

    One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 419 February 2026 following a report of suspicious clinical signs:

    • 1 aborted bovine foetustested withpositive brainprivate malformationtesting in DevonCheshire

    313 February 2026

    OneFour new casecases of BTV-3 in England waswere confirmed on 313 February 2026 following areports report of suspicious clinical signs:

    • 21 cowscow testedand followingits abortions,6-day dullold calvescalf andboth braintested abnormalitiespositive infollowing calvesbirth inof athe herdcalf with neurological signs in OxfordshireBuckinghamshire

    One

  • 1 newcow casetested of BTV-3 inpositive Englandfollowing wasan confirmedabortion onin 3Somerset
  • 1 Februarycow 2026tested positive following non-negativea resultsseries fromof privateabortions tests:

      in the herd in Cheshire
    • 1 cow inand Cumbria1 calf tested aspositive partfollowing birth of surveillance2 followingcalves inthat vitrowere fertilisationblind and had neurological signs in Derbyshire

    Risk level

    Temperatures haveremain continuedlow, to reduce in recent weeks, and experts consider the risk of onward spread by vectors in theEngland south-east, East Anglia, the south-west and the north-east to be negligible. There is however still a risk that animals can get infected from already infected midges or from infected germinal products.

    The risk of incursion of bluetongue virus (including serotypes not currently circulating in England) from all routes remains at medium (occurs regularly) although the risk of airborne incursion is now negligible.

    Control zones

    Check if you’re in a zone on the bluetongue zone map.

    Read the details of each zone.

    Wales:England: country-wide restricted zone

    The fromwhole 10of NovemberEngland is in a bluetongue restricted zone. You can move animals within England without a specific bluetongue licence or pre-movement testing.

    You need a specific licence to freeze germinal products (semen, ova and embryo) anywhere in England and testing is required. Keepers are responsible for the cost of sampling, postage and testing. There is more detail in the declaration.

    Wales: country-wide restricted zone

    An all-Wales restricted zone was introduced from 00:01am on 10 November 2025. This has the following effects:

    • end of temporary control zone - the temporary control zone and its restrictions have ended
    • end of premises-level restrictions - individual premises across Wales are no longer subject to bluetongue-specific movement or control restrictions
    • free movement of livestock - livestock movements between England and Wales no longer require bluetongue vaccination or mitigation measures
    • continued restrictions on germinal products - you must continue to test donor animals before freezing and marketing germinal products, as this provides quality assurance and reduces the risk of longer-term bluetongue transmission

    England: country-wide restricted zone

    The whole of England is in a bluetongue restricted zone. You can move animals within England without a specific bluetongue licence or pre-movement testing.

    You need a specific licence to freeze germinal products (semen, ova and embryo) anywhere in England and testing is required. Keepers are responsible for the cost of sampling, postage and testing. There is more detail in the declaration.

    Moving animals and animal products

    Find out about:

    Vaccination and biosecurity

    Find out about:

    Livestock identification and movement rules

    Find out about:

    Contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) if you keep camelids (such as llamas or alpacas) or you’re unsure about the rules.

    Importing animals and animal products

    Check the rules on imports, exports and EU trade of animals and animal products.

    Webinars, leaflets, videos and posters

    Watch recordings of bluetongue webinars.

    Find leaflets, videos and posters about bluetongue.

    Defra’s bluetongue control strategy

    Defra controls cases of bluetongue by following the Bluetongue: disease control framework in England.

    Historical cases

    The first cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) of the 2025 to 2026 vector season was confirmed on 11 July 2025.

    Prior to this Defra confirmed 160 BTV-3 cases in England and 2 from high risk moves in Wales between 26 August 2024 and 31 May 2025. One case of bluetongue virus serotype 12 (BTV-12) was confirmed in England on 7 February 2025 Giving a total of 163 cases.

    Between November 2023 and March 2024 Defra confirmed 126 BTV-3 cases in England on 73 premises (119 cattle and 7 sheep). These BTV-3 cases were the first UK BTV incursions for over 15 years.  Prior to these cases the last confirmed outbreak of bluetongue was an outbreak of bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8), which took place over 2007 to 2008.

    • Updates to this page

    Published 4 August 2025
    Last updated 259 FebruaryMarch 2026 + show all updates

    1. Fourteen new cases of BTV-3 and one new case of BTV-8 were confirmed between 25 February and 8 March 2026. The cases were in Cornwall, Cumbria, Devon, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire and West Sussex.

    2. Five new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed between 23 and 24 January 2026. The cases were in Cheshire, Derbyshire, East Sussex, Kent and Nottinghamshire.

    3. One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 19 February 2026 following a report of suspicious clinical signs: 1 bovine tested positive private testing in Cheshire.

    4. 13 February 2026 Four new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed on 13 February 2026 following reports of suspicious clinical signs: • 1 cow and its 6-day old calf both tested positive following birth of the calf with neurological signs in Buckinghamshire • I cow tested positive following an abortion in Somerset • 1 cow tested positive following a series of abortions in the herd in Cheshire • 1 cow and 1 calf tested positive following birth of 2 calves that were blind and had neurological signs in Derbyshire 12 February 2026 Two new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed on 12 February 2026 following reports of suspicious clinical signs: • 1 aborted bovine calf tested following finding of abnormal brain development at postmortem examination in Shropshire. Follows approximately 20 other abortions in the herd • 2 cows and 1 calf tested positive following birth of two calves with neurological signs in Staffordshire One new case of BTV-3 in Wales was confirmed on 12 February 2026 following non-negative results from private pre-movement tests: • 1 bull tested privately as part of pre-movement testing in Denbighshire, Wales 9 February 2026 One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 9 February 2026 following a report of suspicious clinical signs: • 1 cow tested positive following birth of an abnormal calf in Oxfordshire

    5. Two new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed on 6 February 2026, in Cumbria and Kent.

    6. 5 February 2026 - One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 5 February 2026 following a report of suspicious clinical signs: 2 cows tested in Staffordshire following a series of abortions in the herd. 4 February 2026 - One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 4 February 2026 following a report of suspicious clinical signs: 1 aborted foetus with brain malformation in Devon 3 February 2026 - One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 3 February 2026 following a report of suspicious clinical signs: 2 cows tested following abortions, dull calves and brain abnormalities in calves in a herd in Oxfordshire. One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 3 February 2026 following non-negative results from private tests: 1 cow in Cumbria tested as part of surveillance following in vitro fertilisation

    7. Added update for the 30 January 2026 - One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed following a report of suspicious clinical signs: 1 aborted foetus in Devon. One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed following non-negative results from private tests: 1 bovine in Cumbria tested as part of artificial breeding controls.

    8. Five new case of BTV-3 in England were confirmed between 27 and 29 January 2026. The cases were in East Sussex, West Sussex, Greater London and Shropshire.

    9. Fives new case of BTV-3 in England were confirmed between 16 and 22 January 2026. The cases were in Kent, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Lancashire.

    10. One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 12 January 2026 following non-negative results from a private test: 5 cattle in Kent. One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 9 January 2026 following non-negative results from a private test: 1 cow in Devon tested as part of screening prior to collection of embryos.

    11. Three new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed between 6 and 7 January 2026 following a report of suspicious clinical signs. The cases were in Cheshire, Cornwall and Devon.

    12. One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 5 January 2026 following a report of suspicious clinical signs: one cow in Devon.

    13. Two new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed on 23 December 2025 following routine bluetongue surveillance: 3 cattle in East Sussex and 4 cattle in Kent.

    14. Fifteen new cases of BTV-3 were confirmed in England and Wales between 16 and 19 December 2025. The cases were in Kent, Cornwall, Cheshire, Powys, Derbyshire, Wrexham, Somerset, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, Greater Manchester and Cumbria.

    15. Twelve new cases of BTV-3 were confirmed in England and Wales between 8 and 13 December 2025. The cases were in South Yorkshire, Wrexham, Cornwall, Derbyshire, Powys, Kent, Hampshire, Cheshire and Somerset.

    16. One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 5 December 2025 following reports of suspicious clinical signs: 1 bovine in Devon with fever, swelling of head and crusting around nostrils. Three new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed on 5 December 2025 following routine bluetongue surveillance: 1 bovine in Hampshire, 1 bovine in Kent and 1 bovine in Berkshire.

    17. Between 2 and 3 December 2025, 4 new cases were confirmed in England. Three cases of BTV-3 only were in Cornwall, Derbyshire, and Devon. One case of both BTV-3 and BTV-8 in different animals was in Cornwall.

    18. One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 28 November 2025 following reports of suspicious clinical signs: 5 dairy cows in Derbyshire with reduced fertility and milk drop. Five new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed on 28 November 2025 following routine bluetongue surveillance: 8 cattle in Hampshire, 2 cattle in Cornwall, 1 bovine in Kent, 1 bovine in Devon and 1 bovine in Devon.

    19. Twelve new cases of BTV were confirmed in England and Wales between 18 and 21 November 2025. The cases were in: Cheshire, Derbyshire, Devon, East Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, Powys, Somerset and Worcestershire.

    20. Six new cases of BTV were confirmed in England on 17 November 2025. The cases were in: Cornwall, Devon, Herefordshire, the Isle of Wight and Somerset.

    21. Fourteen new cases of BTV were confirmed in England from 13 to 14 November 2025. The cases were in: Bedfordshire, Cheshire, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, East Sussex, Hampshire and West Sussex.

    22. 12 November 2025: Two new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed on 12 November 2025 following routine bluetongue surveillance: 1 bovine in West Sussex, 4 bovines in East Sussex. 11 November 2025: One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 11 November 2025 following private testing: 2 bovines in Staffordshire. Three new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed on 11 November 2025 following routine bluetongue surveillance: 7 cattle in East Sussex, 1 bovine in Somerset, 1 bovine in Somerset. 10 November 2025 - further case: One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 10 November 2025 following reports of suspicious clinical signs: 2 bovines in Staffordshire in Devon.

    23. An all-Wales restricted zone came into force on 10 November 2025. Eighteen new cases of BTV were confirmed in England between the 3 and 10 November 2025. The cases were in: Cheshire, Cornwall, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Somerset and West Sussex.

    24. Updated the total number of cases in England and Wales and the risk level. Added latest updates for 1 November, 31 October, 30 October and 29 October. Also added information about the restricted zone to be declared in Wales on 10 November 2025.

    25. Two new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed on 27 October 2025 following reports of suspicious clinical signs: 3 young calves in Cornwall and one yearling dairy heifer in Cornwall. Three new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed on 24 October 2025 following routine bluetongue surveillance: One bovine in Cornwall, 5 dairy youngstock in Cornwall and 4 suckler cows in Cornwall.

    26. Six new cases of bluetongue were confirmed in England on 24 October 2025, and one was confirmed in Wales on the same day. The cases were in Cheshire, Cornwall, Derbyshire, Shropshire and Monmouthshire.

    27. Updated the latest situation section. One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 17 October 2025 in a cow in East Sussex and 2 new cases following a non-negative pre-movement test in 3 cattle in Nottinghamshire and one bull in Cheshire. Three new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed on 16 October, one dairy cow in Cornwall, one dairy cow in Cornwall and one dairy cow in Somerset.

    28. Five new cases of BTV-3 were confirmed in England on 15 October 2025. The cases were in Berkshire, Cornwall and Derbyshire.

    29. Two new cases of BTV-3 were confirmed in England on 10 October 2025: one in Dorset and one in West Yorkshire.

    30. Two new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed on 9 October 2025 following reports of suspicious clinical signs: one freshly calved suckler heifer in Cornwall and one beef calf in Derbyshire.

    31. Eight new cases of BTV-3 were confirmed on 7 October 2025. The cases were in Derbyshire, Shropshire, the Isle of Wight, Cornwall, West Sussex and South Gloucestershire. One new case of BTV-8 was confirmed on 7 October 2025 in Cornwall.

    32. Three new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed on 3 October 2025 following reports of suspicious clinical signs: one cow in Cornwall; 2 cows in Derbyshire; one 6-month old calf in Oxfordshire. One new case of BTV-3 was confirmed in one dairy cow in Shropshire on 3 October 2025 following a non-negative pre-movement test.

    33. Four more cases of BTV-3 were confirmed on 1 October 2025. The cases were in Derbyshire, Devon and Cornwall.

    34. A bluetongue temporary control zone (TCZ) has been put in place around a premises in Monmouthshire, Wales following confirmation of bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3). 

    35. Four new cases of BTV-3 in England were confirmed on 30 September 2025 following reports of suspicious clinical signs: one spring born calf in Staffordshire; one suckler cow in Cornwall; one cow in Cornwall; 2 cows in Staffordshire. One new case of BTV-3 was confirmed in 5 cattle in Staffordshire on 30 September 2025 following a non-negative pre-movement test. One new case of BTV-3 in a suckler cow was confirmed in Powys, Wales on 30 September following reports of suspicious clinical signs. One new case of BTV-3 in a 4-month old calf was confirmed in Powys, Wales on a premises linked to one of the cases confirmed on 26 September.

    36. 26 September 2025 – added a further update about the first cases of BTV-3 being confirmed in Wales. One new case of BTV-3 was confirmed on 26 September 2025 following reports of suspicious clinical signs in one suckler cow in Monmouthshire, Wales. One new case of BTV-3 was confirmed in one bovine in Powys, Wales, on 26 September 2025 following a non-negative post-movement test.

    37. One case of bluetongue serotype 8 (BTV-8) was confirmed in a single sheep in Cornwall on 26 September 2025 following reports of suspicious clinical signs. 7 new cases of BTV-3 were confirmed on 25 September 2025 following reports of suspicious clinical signs.

    38. Ten new cases of BTV-3 were confirmed on 23 September 2025 following reports of suspicious clinical signs. The cases were in Cheshire, East Sussex, West Yorkshire and Cornwall.

    39. One new case of BTV-3 was confirmed on 22 September 2025 following reports of suspicious clinical signs: one cow in Somerset. One new case of BTV-3 was confirmed on 22 September 2025 following a non-negative test following germinal product collection: one ewe in Shropshire.

    40. 20 September 2025 One new case of BTV-3 was confirmed on 19 September 2025 following reports of suspicious clinical signs: three cattle in Cornwall. 19 September 2025 Nine new cases of BTV-3 were confirmed on 19 September 2025 following reports of suspicious clinical signs: one dairy cow in East Sussex, one sheep in Cornwall, two steers in Cornwall, one yearling boven in Derbyshire, one dairy cow in Derbyshire, two sheep in Cornwall, one ram in Devon. One new case of BTV-3 was confirmed on 19 September 2025 following a non-negative pre-movement test: two cattle in Shropshire. One new case of BTV-3 was confirmed on 19 September 2025 following a non-negative test following germinal product collection: one ram in East Sussex.

    41. Three new cases of BTV-3 were confirmed on 18 September 2025 following reports of suspicious clinical signs: one sheep in Derbyshire; one sheep and one cow in Cheshire; one ewe in Cornwall.

    42. Five new cases of BTV-3 were confirmed on 17 September 2025 following reports of suspicious clinical signs: one sheep in Oxfordshire, one sheep in Cornwall, one ram in Cornwall, 2 dairy cows West Yorkshire with milk drop and one cow in Leicestershire. One new case of BTV-3 was confirmed on 17 September 2025 following a non-negative pre-movement test: two cattle in Shropshire.

    43. One new case of BTV-3 was confirmed in East Sussex on 5 September 2025 following reports of suspicious clinical signs.

    44. Five new cases of BTV-3 were confirmed on 11 September 2025 and two new cases were confirmed on 10 September 2025.

    45. Three new cases of BTV-3 were confirmed on 5 September 2025: one sheep in Cornwall, one ram in Kent and one sheep in Devon.

    46. One new case of BTV-3 was confirmed in a ram in East Sussex on 5 September 2025.

    47. Two new cases of BTV-3 were confirmed on 5 September 2025: one homebred ram in Cornwall and one heifer in Oxfordshire.

    48. One new case of BTV-3 was confirmed on 2 September 2025 in Hampshire.

    49. One new case of BTV-3 was confirmed in a dairy cow in Staffordshire on 29 August 2025.

    50. One new case of BTV-3 was confirmed on 28 August 2025. One cow in Greater Manchester was confirmed positive following a report of suspicious clinical signs.

    51. One new case of BTV-3 was confirmed on 27 August 2025 in Hampshire.

    52. One new case of BTV-3 was confirmed on 21 August 2025. The bull in Hampshire was confirmed positive following a report of suspicious clinical signs.

    53. Two new cases of BTV-3 were confirmed on 19 August 2025: one bull in East Sussex and one cow in Hampshire.

    54. Three new cases of BTV-3 were confirmed on 15 August 2025: one sheep in Berkshire; 2 yearling cattle in Hampshire; and one sheep in Oxfordshire.

    55. One new case of BTV-3 was confirmed on 14 August 2025. Three farmed deer in East Sussex were confirmed positive following a non-negative pre-movement test.

    56. Added information about cases of bluetongue that were confirmed on 6, 7 and 11 August 2025.

    57. First published.