Latest bluetongue virus update
This page will be updated regularly with resources and information – for any queries email RuminantHW@ahdb.org.uk
The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain for the 2024 to 2025 vector season is 259 (257 in England and 2 (high risk moves) in Wales).
The total number of BTV-12 cases in Great Britain for the 2024 to 2025 vector season is one (in England).
The location of all premises in Great Britain where one or more animals have tested positive by PCR to bluetongue serotype 3 or serotype 12 is available on the bluetongue case map. By clicking on the map layer icon you can also see the restricted zone and infected area as well as density maps for cattle and sheep numbers.
Recent BTV-3 updates
Pre-movement update
The UK is still in a low risk period of vector transmission. This is when midges are active but are unlikely to be infectious. The risk of vector transmission of bluetongue is considered very low.
The bluetongue control rules remain the same during this period.
Pre movement testing exemptions have been extended to 15 May 2025. This means that you do not have to test animals which are over 60 days old, (subject to them not being pregnant, or entire males intended for breeding) before moving them out of the restricted zone. You must still apply for a specific movement licence to move animals out of the restricted zone. This exemption may end sooner if the risk of bluetongue transmission increases.
If you have already applied for a movement licence
If you have already had pre-movement samples taken, you will need to wait for the results before moving your animals.
If you booked sampling for exempt animals before 26 March and it takes place on or after 31 March, you will need to contact:
- your vet to cancel the test
- APHA’s licensing team on the application portal to confirm that the animals listed are now exempt from testing – we can then progress your application
Licences waiting for pre-movement sampling or testing that has already been booked will continue up until 31 March 2025.
Pre-movement testing exemptions until 23 April 2025
Until 23 April 2025, you do not need to test non-breeding animals over the age of 60 days before being moved out of the restricted zone. This temporary change reflects the current low risk of moving these animals out of the zone.
The only animals you currently need to test before movement are:
- entire males intended for breeding
- females that are pregnant or have unknown pregnancy status
- youngstock if they are aged 60 days or younger at the time of the movement, unless they are travelling at foot with the maternal dam - in this case, you can test the maternal dam by PCR and ELISA
You must still apply for a specific movement licence for moving animals out of the restricted zone.
This is a temporary change that will apply until 23 April 2025, although we may end the exemption sooner if the risk of bluetongue virus transmission has increased.
If you have already applied for a movement licence
If you have already had pre-movement samples taken, you will need to wait for the results before moving your animals.
If you booked sampling for exempt animals before 26 March and it takes place on or after 31 March, you will need to contact:
- your vet to cancel the test
- APHA’s licensing team on the application portal to confirm that the animals listed are now exempt from testing – we can then progress your application
Licences waiting for pre-movement sampling or testing that has already been booked will continue up until 31 March 2025.
15 March 2025
6 new cases confirmed positive for BTV-3 on 15 March 2025:
- one calf confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Herefordshire, following report of birth defects.
- one bovine was confirmed positive in the restricted zone in West Sussex, following a positive pre-movement test
- 3 bovines confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Essex, following a pre-movement test
- 3 bovines confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Norfolk, following a pre-movement test
- one bovine confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Devon, following a pre-movement test
- 6 bovines confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Hampshire, following a pre-movement test
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.
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
- BTV FAQs library
- BTV-3 vaccination finance calculator (beef) | AHDB
BTV-3 vaccination finance calculator (sheep) | AHDB - Battle Bluetongue – information for farmers
- Battle Bluetongue – information for vets
- Updated information – Bluetongue farmer leaflet – Jan 25
- APHA video – what to look out for in cattle.
- DEFRA – General licence for bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccine 27/9/2024
- APHA BTV-3 clinical signs posters: cattle and sheep
- APHA – Sign up for disease alerts
- RH&W – Scottish farmer bluetongue leaflet
- RH&W – Latest bluetongue announcement
- APHA – Interactive Bluetongue Virus Map (arcgis.com)
- APHA – BTV-3 How to be prepared for a possible outbreak
- GOV.UK – Bluetongue: information and guidance for livestock keepers
- GOV.UK – Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccine permits
- GOV.UK – Bluetongue: how to spot and report it
- GOV.UK – Bluetongue movement licences and designated slaughterhouses
- GOV.UK – Bluetongue guidance for shows and events in England in 2024 26.06.2024
- DEFRA – Bluetongue: disease control framework in England – 23.05.24
- RH&W – ‘ACT’ on BTV-3 campaign – 20.05.24
- RH&W – BTV ACT midge control farmer flyer – 20.05.24
- BCVA – Bluetongue disease control framework set out – an update from BCVA
- GOV.WALES – Bluetongue bilingual information – 15.05.24
- DEFRA – Bluetongue Flyer – 16.02.24
- DEFRA – How to spot and report the disease
- GOV.WALES – Bluetongue
- GOV.SCOTLAND – Bluetongue
- AHDB – Bluetongue
- BCVA – Bluetongue
- DAERA – Bluetongue
- NFU – Bluetongue – the latest info and updates
- NSA – Current NSA updates on bluetongue
- NADIS – Bluetongue in cattle and sheep
- SVS – Bluetongue Information
- The Pirbright Institute – Bluetongue virus
- World Organisation for Animal Health –Bluetongue
Advice to farmers and vets
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 and monitor livestock closely.
To ‘act’ on BTV-3, be aware of how bluetongue is transmitted as a vector-borne disease, take caution against misinformation, and promote evidence-based tactics on-farm.
- 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