Bluetongue: news, information and guidance for livestock keepers
How to spot, report and prevent the spread of bluetongue, and information on current cases and movement restrictions.
Latest situation
Find details of all bluetongue disease control zones in England.
Check if you’re in a zone on the bluetongue disease control zone map.
21 October 2024
One new case was confirmed on 21 October:
- 1 sheep in North Yorkshire was confirmed positive after being traced from a premises in Suffolk, having moved before the restricted zone was put in place. The animal will be humanely culled to prevent potential spread and the other animals on the premises will be tested.
20 October 2024
One new case was confirmed on 20 October:
- 1 sheep in Suffolk was confirmed positive following a report of suspect clinical signs.
This brings the total number of cases to 145 (143 in England and 2 (high risk moves) in Wales).
Cases not in bluetongue zones
Twelve cases of BTV-3 have been detected outside the current restricted zone. The premises are in Bath and North East Somerset (BANES), Shropshire, Cheshire, Cumbria, Anglesey, Gwynedd, North Yorkshire and Cornwall.
The animals were moved to these premises from areas where disease is now known to be circulating, but the moves took place before bluetongue restrictions were put in place. The premises were initially placed under restriction and the infected animals have been culled. Further testing is being undertaken to ensure there has been no local transmission. The premises in Gwynedd is no longer under restriction.
BTV-3 is spreading quickly across Europe and there remains a risk when importing animals from countries close to where disease is present. In addition to cases where disease was acquired in England, the UK CVO has confirmed BTV-3 in one animal imported into Devon. The other animals in the consignment were all negative. This animal was culled and follow up testing has confirmed there was no local transmission and restrictions have been lifted. This animal was detected as part of our routine post import process.
Spot and report it
If you suspect bluetongue, you must report it immediately by calling 03000 200 301 in England, 03003 038 268 in Wales or your local Field Services Office in Scotland.
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. This means if you do not report it, you’re breaking the law.
Moving animals and animal products
Stop it spreading: vaccines and testing
Defra’s Secretary of State has permitted the use of 3 unauthorised bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines, subject to licence.
Cases and control zones
Check if you’re in a temporary control zone or restriction zone on the bluetongue zone map.
Follow livestock identification and movement rules
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
Webinars, leaflets, videos and posters
Updates to this page
Last updated 23 October 2024 + show all updates
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One new case was confirmed on 20 October (a sheep in Suffolk), and another on 21 October (a sheep in North Yorkshire).
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Two new cases were confirmed on 18 October: - 1 bovine case detected through surveillance testing in Berkshire - 1 sheep in North Yorkshire detected after being traced from a premises in Suffolk, having moved before the restricted zone was put in place
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Updated to reflect 1 new case on 16 October: 2 positive cattle in the restricted zone detected following pre-movement testing.
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Updated the latest situation. 1 positive sheep detected following the reporting of clinical signs at a premises in Suffolk.
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Updated the latest situation. One new case was confirmed on 14 October: 2 positive sheep detected following the reporting of clinical signs at a premises in Norfolk.
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Updated the latest situation
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One new case has been confirmed on 12 October. 1 positive bovine detected through the reporting of clinical signs in Suffolk.
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Added details of new cases in Essex, North Yorkshire, Hertfordshire, and along the Hertfordshire/Buckinghamshire border.
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A further 4 cases have been confirmed - 2 premises in Essex (1 sheep, 1 bull), plus 1 in Norfolk (1 sheep) and 1 in Suffolk (1 sheep).
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A further 4 cases have been confirmed - 1 ovine detected through the reporting of clinical symptoms in Norfolk and 1 bovine detected through the reporting of clinical symptoms in Suffolk. Two sheep in Yorkshire and one bovine in Cornwall detected after being traced from different premises in Suffolk, having moved before the restricted zone covering Suffolk was put in place. These animals will be humanely culled to prevent potential spread and testing of other animals on premises repeated at regular intervals.
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Following the identification through surveillance of two cases in cattle along the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire border and in accordance with our policy of seeking to contain and slow the spread of disease, the restricted zone and infected area were extended on 04 October. The zone now covers East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, part of Leicestershire, part of Hertfordshire,
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Following report of suspicion of disease at a premises in Suffolk a case of BTV-3 has been confirmed in sheep. Following surveillance at a premises in West Sussex, one additional case of BTV-3 has been confirmed in cattle. Three further cases were confirmed in animals that moved out of what is now the restricted zone, prior to restrictions being put in force.
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Added new information to the 'latest situation' update.
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30 September 2024: Following the identification of a case with evidence of recent infection close to the edge of the restricted zone in West Sussex and in accordance with our policy of seeking to contain and slow the spread of disease, the restricted zone and infected area have been extended. The zone now covers East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Greater London, Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex and part of Hampshire.
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Updated the latest situation as with new information
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Following reports of suspicion of clinical disease in cattle at premises in Norfolk one new case of BTV-3 has been confirmed. There have been no changes in the zones.
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This page has been updated to link to guidance for restrictions on germinal product from bluetongue-susceptible animals.
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Updated the 'Latest situation' with most recent updates.
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21 September 2024 Following the identification of cases close to the edge of the bluetongue restricted zone and in accordance with our policy of seeking to contain and slow the spread of disease, the two restricted zones have now been merged and extended. The new restricted zone now also covers all Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, all Greater London, Surrey and West Sussex. Following reports of suspicion of clinical disease in sheep at premises in East Sussex and East Yorkshire the UK CVO has confirmed two new cases of BTV-3. One further case was identified through a tracing of animals from an affected farm to a premises in Cambridgeshire and an additional case was identified through surveillance in Essex. This brings the total number of cases to 95. 20 September 2024 Following reports of suspicion of clinical disease in sheep and cattle at premises in Kent, East Sussex, Essex and Norfolk the UK CVO has confirmed six new cases of BTV-3. Three further cases were identified through surveillance testing in Essex. 19 September 2024 Following suspicion of clinical disease in sheep and cattle at premises in Kent, East Sussex, Essex and Norfolk the UK CVO has confirmed six new cases of BTV-3. Three further cases were identified through surveillance testing in Essex. This brings the total number of cases to 91.
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Updated the latest situation section.
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Following the identification of further cases of BTV-3 in Kent and East Sussex, one of the two restricted zones now covers Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex. Kent, East Sussex and parts of Greater London. Following confirmation of BTV-3 on a number of premises in East Riding of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, there is now evidence that there is some local transmission of bluetongue virus. The existing temporary control zone (TCZ) has been revoked and replaced by a larger restricted zone and infected area covering East Riding of Yorkshire and part of Lincolnshire.
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Following suspicion of clinical disease in cattle and sheep at premises in Suffolk and Kent, the UK CVO has confirmed five new cases of BTV-3. One further cases was identified through surveillance testing in the East Riding of Yorkshire in the current temporary control zone.
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15 September 2024: Three new cases of BTV-3 have been confirmed in cattle in Essex. All 3 cases are in the restricted zone and were identified through surveillance testing in in the zone. This brings the total number of premises affected to 56. 14 September 2024: Two new cases of BTV-3 have been confirmed in cattle in Essex. Both cases are in the Restricted Zone and were identified through surveillance testing in in the zone. One further case was identified through surveillance testing in the East Riding of Yorkshire in the current temporary control zone.
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Three new cases of BTV-3 have been confirmed. The Restricted Zone covering Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex has been extended to include part of Greater London East and part of Kent.
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Following a report of clinical suspicion in sheep near Faversham in Kent, BTV-3 has been confirmed. In accordance with the disease control framework, a 20km temporary control zone has been declared. Three further cases were identified through surveillance testing in Essex in the current Restricted Zone and one further case was identified through surveillance testing in East Yorkshire in the current Temporary Control Zone. No changes in these zones are necessary.
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Following surveillance within the temporary control zone in North East Lincolnshire, 2 further cases of BTV-3 were detected. In accordance with the disease control framework, the temporary control zone has been further extended. One further case was identified through surveillance testing in Essex in the current Restricted Zone. No changes in this zone are necessary.
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Following surveillance within the East Riding of Yorkshire and North East Lincolnshire zone, a further case of BTV-3 has been confirmed. The temporary control zone (TCZ) and temporary control area has been extended. Movement restrictions apply to cattle, sheep and other ruminants and camelids and their germinal products.
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Updated the latest situation.
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Updated the latest situation.
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Added updates for 5 and 6 September to the Latest situation.
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Updated the latest situation, bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) has been confirmed at a premises near Withersea, East Riding of Yorkshire. A 20km temporary control zone has been declared.
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Added 3 September update to Latest Situation.
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Added link to BTV-3 vaccine permits.
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Updated the latest situation and confirmed cases sections.
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Updated the latest situation section.
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Following reports of clinical suspicion in sheep and cattle on 5 new premises in Norfolk and Suffolk, bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) has been confirmed at these premises. The total number of cases of bluetongue virus BTV- 3 stands at 10 infected premises. Disease has been confirmed in 27 animals. Movement restrictions apply to all ruminants and camelids moving out of the zone and to the movement of their germinal products within the zone. Farmers are urged to only move animals within the zone where this is absolutely necessary. The restricted zone remains in place with no changes to the boundaries.
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Following reports of clinical suspicion in sheep and cattle on 2 new premises in Norfolk and Suffolk, bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) has been confirmed at these premises. There is now evidence that there is some local transmission of bluetongue virus and in accordance with the bluetongue disease control framework, the existing temporary control zone (TCZ) has been revoked and replaced by a larger a bluetongue restricted zone covering Norfolk and Suffolk. The total number of cases of Bluetongue virus BTV- 3 stands at 5 infected premises. Movement restrictions apply to all ruminants and camelids moving out of the zone and to movement of their germinal products within the zone. Farmers are urged to only move animals within the zone where this is absolutely necessary.
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Added information of further cases of bluetounge near Norwich, Norfolk and Lowestoft, East Suffolk
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Added new bluetongue case near Haddiscoe, South Norfolk, Norfolk (BTD 2024/92) - TCZ
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There has been a rapid increase in bluetongue cases in the Netherlands and Germany, as well as new cases in France, Luxemburg and Denmark, which means that Great Britain is at greater risk of disease in susceptible animals. Updated the 'latest situation' information, added information on risk levels and outbreak assessments, and added information on importing animals.
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Added link to risk assessment of airborne introduction of bluetongue virus.
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Added link to bluetongue guidance for shows and events in England in 2024 .
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First published.