As at 29 December 2025, Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency report 266 bluetongue cases in Great Britain this season (since July): 245 in England-237 BTV‑3 only, one BTV‑8 only and seven with both-and 21 BTV‑3 cases in Wales. Scotland has reported none. The government case map lists all PCR‑positive premises, and DAERA confirms four BTV‑3 cases in Northern Ireland.
Recent confirmations included East Sussex and Kent on 23 December following routine surveillance. Earlier in December, positives were recorded across Kent, Cornwall, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Hampshire, Somerset, Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Powys and Wrexham via clinical reports, private testing and surveillance sampling.
With temperatures falling, officials assess onward midge‑borne spread in the south‑east, East Anglia, the south‑west and the north‑east as negligible. The overall risk of incursion remains medium, and airborne incursion is assessed as negligible.
In England, a declaration made on 1 July 2025 established a country‑wide Restricted Zone and a matching Infected Area. Movements within England do not require a specific bluetongue licence or pre‑movement testing, but animals showing clinical signs must not be moved. Freezing germinal product requires either a licence or use of a designated premises, supported by auditable records.
Wales has operated an all‑Wales Restricted Zone since 00:01 on 10 November 2025. Temporary control measures and premises‑level restrictions ended on that date, and livestock can move between England and Wales without vaccination or additional mitigation. Donor testing for germinal products continues to apply.
Movements from England to Scotland or to outside any Restricted Zone must use the appropriate general licence. Defra advises keepers to use the latest published licence, retain a copy during transport and check animals for signs before loading.
Within England’s zone, APHA can issue specific licences for urgent welfare moves onto or off restricted premises. Slaughterhouses in England do not need designation for bluetongue‑related slaughter, and showground procedures allow shows to continue if suspicion is managed under APHA direction. Animals with clinical signs must not be moved.
Germinal product rules are tighter. Movement within the zone is permitted if the donor shows no signs. Freezing requires either a specific licence or a designated premises, and all donors must be tested after collection-PCR at 6–28 days or ELISA at 28–60 days, with ELISA unsuitable for vaccinated animals. Quarantine product until negative results, keep clear labelling and auditable records, and budget for sampling and testing costs.
Three BTV‑3 vaccines-Bluevac‑3, Bultavo 3 and SYVAZUL BTV 3-are available in Great Britain and can be used in England under a general licence with reporting. Trade restrictions still apply to vaccinated animals, and pre‑movement testing should not be scheduled until at least seven days after vaccination to avoid interference.
In Northern Ireland, DAERA has confirmed cases on four farms in County Down and maintains 20 km Temporary Control Zones. From 9 December, livestock movements from outside the TCZs to Great Britain resumed under routine requirements, while movements into the TCZs are permitted by general licence; moves within and out of the TCZs remain restricted except direct to slaughter. NI’s bluetongue‑free status was suspended on 29 November, affecting exports of susceptible species.
For planning in January, keepers and hauliers should verify locations using Defra’s interactive zone map, align any cross‑border moves with the relevant general licence conditions, and ensure germinal product collections are followed by the required testing timetable before use. Markets and shows should keep APHA guidance to hand and maintain records to demonstrate compliance.
Control policy continues to follow Defra’s bluetongue disease control framework, which sets out the approach to BTV‑3 management in England and builds on the GB strategy.