Latest bluetongue virus update
This page will be updated daily with resources and information – for any queries email RuminantHW@ahdb.org.uk.
BTV-3 latest announcement – 21/03/24
There are 126 bluetongue cases in England on 73 premises in 4 counties. There are 119 cases in cattle and 7 cases in sheep.
There is still no evidence that bluetongue virus is currently circulating in midges in Great Britain. We remain in a seasonally vector low period.
A current list of designated abattoirs is now available here.
Temporary control zone update (TCZ) – 12/2/24
If you are concerned about the welfare of animals that have tested positive and are not allowed to move, please contact APHA.
APHA are in the process of completing testing animals in the former TCZ. However, if you need to move untested animals urgently, you are permitted to ask your private vet to complete the testing for you. You would need to pay for the vet’s time, but the cost of the laboratory testing will be met by Defra. Details on what your vet needs to do in this situation is given below in the advice section.
Advice for farmers
RH&W’s advice to farmers and their vets remains three-fold, farmers need to beware when buying animals in, take action to report any signs, and always, remain vigilant:
- Buyer beware, source animals from Europe responsibly and request pre-movement testing.
- Take action, prioritise biosecurity and report any suspicious clinical signs.
- Vigilance is key, monitor livestock closely.
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.
Additional Resources
- RH&W – Scottish bluetongue leaflet – 28.03.24
- RH&W – Where you in a TCZ flowchart for farmers – 21.02.24
- RH&W – latest BTV-3 updates
- DEFRA – Bluetongue Flyer – 16.02.24
- DEFRA – How to spot and report the disease
- GOV.WALES – Bluetongue
- GOV.SCOTLAND – Bluetongue
- DAERA – Bluetongue
- AHDB – Bluetongue
- NFU – Bluetongue – the latest info and updates
- NADIS – Bluetongue in cattle and sheep
- The Pirbright Institute – Bluetongue virus
- World Organisation for Animal Health –Bluetongue
- NSA – Sheep farmers warned to remain vigilant amid first Bluetongue case in sheep
What is bluetongue?
Bluetongue (BTV) is a viral disease transmitted by biting midges, which affects all ruminants (e.g. sheep, cattle, goats and deer) and camelids (e.g. llama and alpaca).
The latest strain, BTV-3 appear to mimic BTV-8 in its behaviour, however the existing BTV-8 serotype vaccine will not offer cross protection against this new strain.