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.
13 September 2024
Following the identification of 3 further cases of BTV-3 in Essex and one in Norfolk, the Restricted Zone covering Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex has been extended and now covers part of Greater London East and part of Kent as well. The Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) near Faversham has been revoked and the area that formed the TCZ is now part of the Restricted Zone.
This brings the total number of premises affected to 50.
12 September 2024
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.
If you keep susceptible species (ruminants and camelids), you must keep a close watch for, and report, any suspected clinical signs of bluetongue disease in your animals.
To move animals in a disease control zone in England, Scotland or Wales, you may need a licence. Not all licences are immediately available while we investigate cases. More information is available on the bluetongue movement licences page.
Free testing remains available for animals moving from high-risk counties not covered by a bluetongue zone to elsewhere in Great Britain. Priority will be given to pre and post movement testing of animals moving out of the Temporary Control Zone and Restricted Zone. This includes animals sold at a market within a high-risk county and moved elsewhere.
If you are in a bluetongue zone you will need to apply for a licence to move animals to live with pre and post movement testing instead.
If buying or importing animals, livestock owners should buy from reputable sources and check the health status of animals when sourcing livestock.
Confirmed cases and control zones
2024 to 2025 vector season
Since 26 August 2024, bluetongue has been confirmed on 50 premises.
Previous cases
2023 to 2024 vector season
Between November 2023 and March 2024 there were 126 bluetongue cases in England on 73 premises in 4 counties. There were 119 cases in cattle and 7 cases in sheep. During this period bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) was found in Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk.
Case details and interactive map
Check the list of all bluetongue cases and control zones and view the bluetongue interactive map.
Spot and report it
Find out about the signs of bluetongue and how you must report it.
If you suspect bluetongue, you must report it immediately by calling:
- 03000 200 301 in England
- 03003 038 268 in Wales
- 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.
Prevent it and stop it spreading
Read about steps you can take to help prevent your animals becoming infected with bluetongue virus and stop it spreading.
Risk levels and outbreak assessments
The overall risk of incursion of bluetongue (BTV-3) into Great Britain is ‘high’ (occurs very often) and covers all possible pathways, including the movement of live animals and vector-borne spread. However, the risk of airborne incursion of midges infected with the virus will fluctuate with wind and weather conditions and the scale of disease in Northern Europe, therefore we also consider the conditions in the UK for midge borne transmission in the risk assessments.
There is no public health risk associated with bluetongue. The disease does not affect people and the virus is not transmitted through the consumption of meat or dairy products, or through contact with animals or wool.
Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccine permits
Defra’s Secretary of State has permitted the use of 3 unauthorised bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines within the United Kingdom, subject to licence.
Register your animals
Contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) if you keep camelids (such as llamas or alpacas) or you’re unsure about the rules.
Moving animals and animal products
Importing animals
Livestock owners should:
- only source animals with a reliable health status
- consult with their private veterinarians to put in place controls that help prevent the introduction of bluetongue virus
- test animals to ensure they are clear of infection before they travel
Currently, susceptible livestock cannot be moved to Great Britain from countries affected with bluetongue without prior vaccination. As there is no fully approved vaccine for BTV-3 with a guaranteed period of immunity, countries affected with BTV-3 are unable to comply with the health certificate requirements.
Webinars, leaflets, videos and posters
Updates to this page
Last updated 13 September 2024 + show all updates
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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.