Latest cases of bluetongue virus in the UK
A look at the latest situation of bluetongue virus (BTV-3) in the UK in 2026.
In the UK, the first cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) of the 2025 to 2026 vector season was confirmed on 11 July 2025. One new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 30 January 2026 following a report of suspicious clinical signs: 1 aborted foetus in Devon.
Also, a new case of BTV-3 in England was confirmed on 30 January 2026 following non-negative results from private tests: 1 bovine in Cumbria tested as part of artificial breeding controls.
There were several more cases of BTV-3 found around England, click here for the update.
Bluetongue in recent months
The UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has said that prior to this it 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.
Total bluetongue cases
Defra has further stated that there have been 284 cases of bluetongue in Great Britain in the 2025 bluetongue season (since July 2025):
In England, there have been 263 cases of bluetongue, including 255 cases of only BTV-3, 1 case of only BTV-8 and 7 cases with both BTV-3 and BTV-8In Wales there have been 21 cases of BTV-3There have been no cases in ScotlandThere are 4 confirmed cases of BTV-3 in Northern Ireland According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), Defra’s Secretary of State has permitted the use of 3 bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines within the UK, subject to a valid licence or declaration. For more information about the vaccines, see the vaccine comparison tables.
Lower temperatures in recent weeks have continued and experts consider the risk of the spread by vectors in the south-east, East Anglia, the south-west and the north-east to be negligible, says the UK government. There is, however, still a risk that animals can get infected from already infected midges or from infected germinal products, it added.
AHDB has stated that “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).”
For more info, click here.
