Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency report 282 bluetongue cases across Great Britain in the 2025 season to date, as of 30 January 2026. England accounts for 261 cases-253 BTV‑3 only, one BTV‑8 only and seven mixed BTV‑3/BTV‑8-while Wales has 21 BTV‑3 cases; Scotland has none. A government case map lists affected premises. DAERA separately confirms four BTV‑3 cases in Northern Ireland. (gov.uk)
Defra’s latest update records five BTV‑3 confirmations between 27 and 29 January in East Sussex, West Sussex, Greater London and Shropshire. Reports in this period included congenital abnormalities in calves and, on 29 January, a five‑day‑old calf with brain malformation. Earlier January confirmations followed either clinical reports or non‑negative private tests in Kent, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Devon and Cornwall. (gov.uk)
Defra assesses the risk of onward spread by midges in the south‑east, East Anglia, the south‑west and the north‑east as negligible given lower temperatures. Infection remains possible from previously infected midges or through infected germinal products. The overall risk of incursion from all routes is described as medium, while airborne incursion is negligible. (gov.uk)
England continues to operate as a country‑wide restricted zone. Movements within England do not require a bluetongue licence or pre‑movement testing, but freezing semen, ova or embryos requires a specific licence with mandatory testing; keepers meet sampling, postage and laboratory costs. These steps follow the Secretary of State’s declaration of 1 July 2025 under the Bluetongue Regulations 2008 and the Movement of Animals (Restrictions) (England) Order 2002. (gov.uk)
Wales has been under a country‑wide restricted zone since 00:01 on 10 November 2025. The earlier temporary control zone and premises‑level restrictions have ended, and livestock can move between England and Wales without bluetongue vaccination or mitigation measures. Testing of donor animals before freezing and marketing germinal products continues to apply. (gov.uk)
For cross‑border moves from England’s restricted zone to Scotland or Wales, general licences apply to animals and germinal products. Producers should check current licence conditions, any designated slaughterhouse arrangements and the zone details page before scheduling consignments. (gov.uk)
In Northern Ireland, DAERA permits certain movements to Great Britain under licence following the late‑2025 outbreak and maintains guidance for moves within the Temporary Control Zone and for germinal products. Northern Ireland’s bluetongue‑free status remains suspended from 29 November 2025, affecting exports. (daera-ni.gov.uk)
Vaccination against BTV‑3 is available in Great Britain. Defra and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate list Bluevac‑3, Bultavo 3 and SYVAZUL BTV 3, which can be used under general licence with reporting requirements. Trade restrictions still apply to vaccinated animals, and pre‑movement testing should not be carried out until seven days after vaccination. (gov.uk)
Defra has published advice on slowing transmission and recognising clinical signs, with instructions to report suspected disease promptly. Identification and movement rules for cattle, sheep, goats and deer remain in force; keepers of camelids should contact APHA if uncertain about specific requirements. (gov.uk)
Businesses trading animals or germinal products should review current rules on imports, exports and EU trade and confirm certification and testing steps linked to bluetongue controls before purchase or dispatch. (gov.uk)
Operationally, holdings in England can move stock within the country without a bluetongue licence but should plan semen and embryo programmes around licensing and testing timelines, record vaccination activity, and allow for laboratory turnaround. Where animals are destined for Scotland or Wales, confirm the relevant general licence and any pre‑movement testing window before movement. (gov.uk)
For context, the first BTV‑3 case of the 2025–26 vector season was confirmed on 11 July 2025. Prior to this, 163 cases were recorded between 26 August 2024 and 31 May 2025, including one BTV‑12 case on 7 February 2025. Between November 2023 and March 2024, 126 BTV‑3 cases were confirmed on 73 premises. The previous UK outbreak involved BTV‑8 in 2007–08. (gov.uk)