Updated: 30/11/23

Latest bluetongue virus update

This page will be updated daily with resources and information – for any queries email RuminantHW@ahdb.org.uk. 

RH&W latest announcement – New cases confirmed – 27/11/23

Legislation is now in place around movement of animals into and out of the temporary control zone. For up to date information on the location of the control zone visit the Defra website here.

APHA Interactive Bluetongue virus map available here.

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).

What is the latest BTV strain?

A new emerging strain of bluetongue BTV-3 appears to mimic BTV-8 in its behaviour, leading us to be extremely cautious to the risk it poses.

The existing BTV-8 serotype vaccine will not offer cross protection against this new strain.

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:

  1. Buyer beware, source animals from Europe responsibly and request pre-movement testing.
  2. Take action, prioritise biosecurity and report any suspicious clinical signs.
  3. Vigilance is key, monitor livestock closely.

Temporary control zone (TCZ) – what does that mean?

Anyone in the temporary control zone will be contacted by APHA to explain what this means and any actions you need to take. The main thing to note is that movements of susceptible animals on or off your premises including all movements into and out of the TCZ, must stop, except under licences which may set certain conditions. Keepers can make requests to APHA for licences at outbreak.licensing@apha.gov.uk.

Unless the move relates to an urgent animal welfare issue, please allow at least 5 days for the processing of your licence application for routine animal movements. Complex and high-risk movements will need extra time to process. You must make contingency plans to allow for this and consider what steps you will need to take if the licence cannot be issued or cannot be issued in time.

If a licence is issued, it will normally allow a one-off movement and will be subject to certain conditions based on disease control risk.

Bluetongue virus, 10km temporary control zone, near Canterbury, Kent – 11/11/23

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

Bluetongue (BTV-3) licencing for animal movements – 27/11/23

With bluetongue surveillance underway in the temporary control zone (TCZ), existing licences, timescales and the type of animal movements allowed is being constantly reviewed with the Defra and APHA veterinary advisors.

For the most up-to-date information please visit this page, the bluetongue hub on the Ruminant Health & Welfare website.

If you have further questions or you would like to speak to someone, please call the bluetongue hotline: 024 7771 0386

Type of movement

Current status

Can I apply for a licence if I want to remove animals?

Animals moving from a premise within the TCZ- to another premise within the TCZ, includes tCPHs and TLA

Premise to premise within to live  

Licence available if movement is for welfare or management reasons, i.e. winter housing – EXD100 Application requesting exemption from restrictions (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Yes

Animals moving from a premise within the TCZ- to an abattoir within the TCZ

Premise to abattoir within 

Licence available – EXD100 Application requesting exemption from restrictions (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Yes

Animals moving from a premise or tCPH/TLA outside the TCZ- to another premise within the TCZ

Outside premise to premise within

Licence available – EXD100 Application requesting exemption from restrictions (publishing.service.gov.uk) 

Yes

Animals moving from a premise outside the TCZ- to an abattoir within the TCZ 

Outside premise to abattoir within

Licence available – EXD100 Application requesting exemption from restrictions (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Yes

Animals moving from a premise within the TCZ- to an abattoir outside the TCZ 

Premise to abattoir outside

Licence available, please apply asap as there are extra requirements for the abattoir to fulfil to receive animals - EXD100 Application requesting exemption from restrictions (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Yes, but additional information and requirements may be needed for licence to be granted  

Animals moving from a premise within the TCZ- to another premise outside the TCZ

Premise to premise outside

No licence available

Not likely to be allowed – may be reconsidered once surveillance is complete

Animals moving from a market outside the TCZ to an abattoir inside the TCZ

Market outside to abattoir within 

No licence available

No

Animals moving from a market outside the TCZ to a premise within the TCZ

Market outside to premise within 

No licence available

No

Germplasm moving within TCZ or outside of TCZ 

No licence needed 

Free movement

No licence needed

Carcases/ fallen stock being removed from a premise within the TCZ

No licence needed 

Free movement

No licence needed

Premises are deemed separate if there is a road running between two land parcels.  Co-located land parcels are considered one premise.  

 Note: all applications are reviewed and assessed on an individual basis. To avoid delays, please ensure all information requested is included in your application. Depending on the nature of the application and number of applications, you may not have a response for five days. It is recommended that if you wish to move animals, you should apply promptly as soon as it is indicated that a licence is or likely to become available.  

If your business is having difficulty because the type of licence you need is not available, please contact the helpline. This is to understand demand rather than provide new licences at this stage. 

In the UK, bluetongue, including BTV-3, is a notifiable disease, so anyone suspecting the disease must take action and report it to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).  

Further information on clinical signs and resources can be found here: https://ruminanthw.org.uk/bluetongue-virus/  

Bluetongue FAQs

The following information has been developed with Defra and industry input to ensure farmers and vets have factual, up-to-date information on the current bluetongue situation.

Adult animals may show little or no clinical signs, so farmers and their vets need to be vigilant.

In sheep: 

  • Lethargy, reluctance to move 
  • Crusty erosions around the nostrils and on the muzzle 
  • Discharge of mucus and drooling from mouth and nose 
  • Swelling of the muzzle, face and above the hoof 
  • Reddening of the skin above the hoof 
  • Redness of the mouth, eyes, nose 
  • Breathing problems 
  • Erosions on the teats

In cattle:

  • Crusty erosions around the nostrils and muzzle 
  • Redness of the mouth, eyes, nose 
  • Redding of the skin above the hoof 
  • Nasal discharge 
  • Reddening and erosions on the teats 

Cattle do not often show clear signs of disease so owners should also look out for signs of fatigue and lower productivity including reduced milk yield. 

In calves:

Calves can become infected with bluetongue (BTV-8) before birth if the mother is infected while pregnant. Signs of infection include: 

  • Calves born small, weak, deformed or blind 
  • Death of calves within a few days of birth 
  • Abortions 

Livestock keepers and vets should consider bluetongue as a possible cause for calves showing these signs. 

BTV is a notifiable disease which has the potential for rapid spread via biting midges to other ruminating animals with significant production losses in livestock. Suspicion of BTV in animals in England must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency 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.

BTV is mainly spread by adult-infected midges (various Culicoides species) biting (vector) an animal susceptible to the disease. This is classed as ‘vector-borne’ transmission.

Infected midges can spread locally and more widely in certain temperatures and wind conditions.

The second but less common way the disease is spread is through movement of infected animals. That is why movement of animals from BTV areas is controlled.

The time of year, i.e. whether during the active vector season (normally March-September), and meteorological conditions, i.e. temperature and wind direction, and the proximity and density of neighbouring farms are significant factors in the potential incursion and spread of this disease. It is however possible to move infected animals at any time of year.

Control of midges is difficult and although there are things that can be done to reduce their spread, it is unlikely that the risk of them can be removed on any individual farm. Reducing the risk is therefore the aim.

The main preventative measure is movement controls and restrictions for susceptible livestock species in relevant areas to reduce the opportunity for vector transmission between holdings. Midges often accompany the animals as they move e.g. in livestock trailers, therefore moving animals increases the risk of midge spread too.

Synthetic pyrethroid (e.g. deltamethrin)-based pour-on insecticidal products are approved in the UK for use on cattle and sheep against some biting flies and lice. In laboratory conditions, deltamethrin is a highly effective toxin for Culicoides (midges). However, their efficacy has not been shown outside of the laboratory, and they have not been proven to have a direct impact on BTV transmission.

Deltamethrin-based products can be used at maximum levels recommended by the manufacturer and may at least reduce the biting pressure on an animal, although this effect will be temporary. The same active ingredient would be appropriate for spraying of housing/trailers for animal movement.

Please follow product label recommendations and adhere to responsible use guidelines when using insecticides to ensure no environmental adverse affects to non-target organisms.  

Midges breed in damp soils with high organic content, such as muckheaps. So, keeping these distant from susceptible livestock and livestock-housing may reduce biting frequency and therefore BTV transmission.

Unless specifically directed to by an inspector, or instructed to by the conditions of an official notice, declaration or licence, you are not required to house ruminant animals at your premises. However, you may wish to consult your veterinary surgeon for advice on any protective steps you might take.

Unless specifically directed to by an inspector, or instructed to by the conditions of an official notice, declaration or licence, you are not required to take action to kill or control insects around your premises. However you may wish to consult your veterinary surgeon for advice on any protective steps you might take.

The number for the Bluetongue hotline is 024 7771 0386. NFU members can also access the CallFirst hotline: 0370 845 8458

There are several serotypes of BTV but vaccines are only available for certain serotypes. Unfortunately, there are no authorised vaccines for BTV3 in the UK or EU. Vaccination against BTV3 is therefore not possible.

Vaccines do not offer cross-protection, i.e., vaccinating your animals against BTV8 will not protect them from infection with BTV3.

Unfortunately, there are no authorised vaccines for BTV3. Vaccination against BTV3 is therefore not possible.

The decision to vaccinate against other strains of BTV is a matter for farmers based on the possible impacts for their businesses. In the current situation we do not believe there is a case for mandatory vaccination, nor for the Government to provide or fund vaccination. Our focus is to ensure that farmers and their private vets are fully informed of the current situation.

For serotypes where vaccination is possible (such as BTV 1, 2, 4 and 8), vaccination is the best way to protect livestock. Livestock keepers should discuss with their vet whether vaccination is an option which will benefit their business. Veterinary surgeons can apply to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for a Special Import Certificate, which will allow keepers to import safe and effective bluetongue vaccine directly from the EU to vaccinate their stock. 

Because BTV is transmitted by midges carrying the virus, and not from one animal to another, vaccination will not necessarily prevent all future potential disease spread but would enable farmers to protect their own herds.   

Unfortunately, there are no authorised vaccines for BTV3 in the UK or EU. Vaccination against BTV 3 is therefore not possible.

  • Following confirmation of BTV in a non-imported animal in England, the UK may no longer be considered as a BTV-free country.
  • Trade with trading partners, including trade to the EU, may be subject to additional control measures imposed by the importing authority.
  • Some countries may restrict UK exports of susceptible animals or their products as a result, although it is expected that exports of many commodities will be able to continue. In some cases, there may be a requirement for additional checks, testing or treatments.
  • The latest information on availability of individual export Health Certificates can be found via Get an export health certificate – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

To protect the biosecurity status of Northern Ireland movement of susceptible livestock from GB will now be stopped as epidemiological investigations continue. Movement of germplasm will be subject to appropriate restriction.

Action is being taken to ensure the risk of spread of the disease is reduced – the infected cow has been humanely culled to reduce the risk of onward disease transmission and livestock movements from the affected premises are restricted.

We have also put in place a 10km temporary control zone around the affected farm which will restrict movements of susceptible animals except under license in that wider area, while we undertake additional surveillance to assure ourselves this is an isolated case. The fact that this single case was picked up shows our surveillance programme is working.

Culling may be used in circumstances where it is believed disease is not circulating and an outbreak might be prevented.  Once bluetongue is known to be circulating in the domestic midge population, culling of livestock is not an effective control measure to deal with disease.

If your animal were required to be culled to control Bluetongue disease then you would receive compensation for that animal (unless you had imported diseased animals).  However, we would not expect to cull large numbers of animals since culling becomes ineffective once disease is established within midge populations.

We have robust rules and procedures in place to protect our borders from disease and animals or their germinal products can only be imported if they meet these. It is essential that keepers source responsibly.

Over and above this, we carry out compulsory post-import testing of susceptible animals from areas around and known to have BTV infected regions.

The disease does not affect meat or animal products, and meat and milk from infected animals are safe to eat and drink. Over and above this, we carry out compulsory post-import testing of susceptible animals from areas around and known to have BTV infected regions.

No, BTV viruses do not affect people.

Ruminant wildlife such as deer could become infected if the disease was circulating in the local midge population.

The main direct economic impacts will vary depending on the strain of BTV and at this stage, with only one animal infected, we cannot make such assessments.  

Bluetongue can reduce milk yield, cause sickness, and reduce reproductive performance. The imposition of movement controls may require some farmers to change their usual routes to markets.  Farmers may incur costs from reduced market access, including export markets.

As a notifiable disease, the control of bluetongue is legislated for. The control strategy includes good biosecurity and animal care, responsible sourcing of animals, monitoring of the disease situation in Europe and internationally, and having in place appropriate risk-based import conditions and testing.

Vigilance by animal keepers is key. Anyone keeping an animal must notify any suspicion of notifiable disease. This will be investigated by government veterinary inspectors.