Defra’s bluetongue situation page, last updated on 6 February 2026, records 288 cases in Great Britain for the 2025 season (since July 2025): 267 in England and 21 in Wales, with no cases in Scotland. Northern Ireland has confirmed five BTV‑3 cases. A public case map is available to support on-farm planning and veterinary triage. (gov.uk)
Recent confirmations underline ongoing winter detections via clinical reports and private testing. Between 30 January and 5 February 2026, single incidents were confirmed in Staffordshire, Devon, Oxfordshire and Cumbria, including abortions and congenital brain abnormalities in calves and foetuses notified to APHA. (gov.uk)
Defra assesses the risk of onward spread by biting midges as negligible in south‑east England, East Anglia, the south‑west and the north‑east due to lower temperatures. The overall risk of virus incursion to England from all routes remains medium, while the airborne incursion risk is now negligible. Infection can still arise from previously infected midges and from infected germinal products. (gov.uk)
England remains a single bluetongue restricted zone with an overlapping infected area declared from 00:01 on 1 July 2025 under the Bluetongue Regulations 2008 and the Movement of Animals (Restrictions) (England) Order 2002. Movements within England do not require a specific bluetongue licence or pre‑movement tests, provided the conditions of the relevant general licence are met. Movements out of the restricted zone continue to require the appropriate general or specific licence. (gov.uk)
For germinal products in England, freezing requires a specific licence or use of a designated premises, with mandatory post‑collection testing of donor animals by PCR 6–28 days after collection or ELISA 28–60 days after collection. Keepers are responsible for sampling, postage and testing costs, and must maintain auditable records and quarantine product of unknown status until negative results are confirmed. (gov.uk)
Wales has operated a country‑wide bluetongue restricted zone since 00:01 on 10 November 2025. Temporary control zones and premises‑level restrictions were lifted, and livestock can move freely between the Welsh and English restricted zones without vaccination or extra mitigation, while controls on germinal products continue through donor testing requirements. (gov.wales)
Movements from England to Scotland or Wales, and movements of germinal product from designated premises to areas outside restricted zones, must follow the applicable general licences. Users should ensure they hold and comply with the latest version and carry a copy during movement. (gov.uk)
Northern Ireland remains under a Temporary Control Zone regime around affected areas. DAERA confirms five BTV‑3 cases to date and permits most movements under general licence, with high‑risk categories subject to additional conditions. Limited financial support is available for laboratory costs associated with certain pre‑movement tests from holdings within the TCZ. (daera-ni.gov.uk)
Three BTV‑3 vaccines - Bluevac‑3, Bultavo 3 and SYVAZUL BTV 3 - are authorised for use in Great Britain and permitted in Northern Ireland under stated conditions. Keepers and vets must comply with licensing and reporting requirements; trade restrictions still apply to vaccinated animals, and vaccinated stock should not be tested as part of pre‑movement checks until seven days after vaccination. (gov.uk)
Defra advises good biosecurity, responsible sourcing and housing susceptible animals to reduce midge exposure, particularly at dawn and dusk. Keepers should remain vigilant to clinical signs, use the case map to understand local risk, maintain traceability records, and contact APHA promptly if bluetongue is suspected. (gov.uk)
The current season follows earlier UK incursions. Defra confirmed the first BTV‑3 case of the 2025–26 vector season on 11 July 2025. Before then, there were 160 confirmed BTV‑3 cases in England and two in Wales between 26 August 2024 and 31 May 2025, plus one BTV‑12 case in England on 7 February 2025. The last significant BTV‑8 outbreak occurred in 2007–08. (gov.uk)