Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency updated the official bluetongue situation on 6 February 2026. Since July 2025, Great Britain has confirmed 288 cases: 267 in England (259 BTV-3 only, 1 BTV-8 only, 7 with both BTV-3 and BTV-8) and 21 BTV-3 cases in Wales, with no cases in Scotland. The most recent GB confirmation, reported on 5 February, involved two cattle in Staffordshire tested after a series of abortions. Northern Ireland has separately confirmed five BTV-3 cases. (gov.uk)
Transmission risk is now seasonally lower. Officials assess the risk of onward spread by biting midges as negligible in the south-east, East Anglia, the south-west and the north-east. However, infection can still occur from already infected midges or through infected germinal products. The overall risk of incursion from all routes, including other serotypes, remains at medium, while airborne incursion is negligible. (gov.uk)
England remains under a country-wide restricted zone. Moves within England do not require a bluetongue-specific licence or pre-movement testing, provided the conditions of general licence EXD612(E) are met. Slaughterhouses in England do not need designation and shows can continue under APHA oversight where suspicion is investigated and managed. (gov.uk)
Wales continues to operate an all-Wales restricted zone introduced at 00:01 on 10 November 2025. Movements within Wales and between the restricted zones in England and Wales are permitted without vaccination or pre-movement testing when the relevant general licence applies. Temporary control zones and premises-level restrictions in Wales have been lifted. (gov.wales)
Germinal products remain tightly controlled. To freeze semen, ova or embryos within England’s restricted zone, keepers must hold a specific licence or use a designated premises. Donor animals must be tested after collection-PCR 6 to 28 days post-collection or ELISA 28 to 60 days (ELISA not suitable for vaccinated animals). Keepers bear sampling, postage and testing costs. (gov.uk)
For cross-border moves, general licences are available to move animals and germinal products from England’s restricted zone to Scotland or Wales. Operators should download and comply with the latest licence terms before use, as conditions can change. (gov.uk)
Northern Ireland continues to allow some movements to Great Britain under licence following its BTV-3 detections. Consignors should verify permit scope and conditions with DAERA before planning shipments. (daera-ni.gov.uk)
Vaccination against BTV-3 is available. Three vaccines-Bluevac-3, Bultavo 3 and SYVAZUL BTV 3-are authorised for use in Great Britain. In England, use must comply with the general licence and reporting requirements, and vaccinated animals remain subject to trade restrictions. Chief Veterinary Officers ask vets to record vaccine use and report adverse events. (gov.uk)
Operationally, keepers should remain clinically vigilant and report suspicion promptly to APHA, which accepts notifiable disease reports 24/7. Defra signposts two resources to support decision-making: the bluetongue case map for PCR-positive premises and the zone map to confirm whether holdings fall within restricted areas. Camelid keepers should seek APHA advice where rules are unclear. (gov.uk)
Policy remains anchored to Defra’s bluetongue control framework for England, which sets out how restrictions, licensing and surveillance are applied and adjusted. Businesses should continue planning on the basis that movement and germinal product controls apply until changes are published by government. (gov.uk)