14 October 2025: Outbreak of bluetongue virus in Lithuania
Updated 15 October 2025
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OVS note number: 2025/70
Date: 14 October 2025
Purpose
To inform you of new import restrictions on imports of live ruminants from Lithuania due to an outbreak of Bluetongue Virus (BTV).
Background
Lithuania confirmed outbreaks of BTV-3 in cattle to WOAH (see WAHIS notification) on 10 October 2025, with cases reported since 24 September 2025. As a result, Lithuania has lost its BTV-free status.
In response to the outbreak, the UK Office for SPS Trade Assurance updated its Live Ungulates list on 14 October to apply Supplementary Guarantee ‘A’ to the entry for Lithuania. This guarantee requires all live ruminants exported to GB from Lithuania to be vaccinated against all serotype/s of BTV circulating in the country.
However, BTV-3 vaccines authorised for use in the EU cannot currently be used for trade due to the lack of information on the duration of immunity of the vaccine, meaning they cannot comply with the relevant part of the certificate. Consequently, imports of live ruminants from Lithuania cannot be certified for export to Great Britain.
In addition to the above, the loss of BTV-free status for Lithuania means that imports of ruminant germinal products from Lithuania are now required to comply with the relevant testing requirements for BTV as set out in relevant health certificates and in Appendix 2 of the Import Information Note.
Contact point for enquiries
Email: imports@apha.gov.uk
Imports and EU Trade Team