Defra has confirmed 172 bluetongue cases in Great Britain since the 2025 season began in July. From 00:01 on 10 November 2025 the Welsh Government introduced a country-wide restricted zone, replacing the temporary control zone. England remains under a national restricted zone.
Of the 172 cases, 159 are in England: 145 premises with BTV-3 only, one with BTV-8 only, and five with both BTV-3 and BTV-8. Wales has recorded 13 BTV-3 cases, and Scotland has reported none. The government’s bluetongue case map shows premises that have tested PCR-positive for serotypes 3, 8 or 12.
On 10 November, Defra confirmed multiple BTV-3 detections in England across distinct routes of surveillance. One bovine on the Isle of Wight was confirmed following reports of poor fertility; a separate bovine in Cheshire was identified via private testing; and one cow in Cheshire tested positive following collection of germinal products. A non-negative pre-movement test also led to confirmation in a bovine in Derbyshire. Routine surveillance on the same date confirmed infection on four further premises: 13 cattle in West Sussex, eight in Hampshire, eight in Devon and six in Hampshire.
On 7 November, one bovine in Devon was confirmed following suspicious clinical signs. A non-negative pre-movement test identified four cattle in Hampshire, and routine surveillance confirmed two cattle in West Sussex and two in Devon.
On 5 November, two bovines were confirmed with BTV-3 following clinical reports in Cornwall and Somerset. On 4 November, one bovine in Cornwall was confirmed after clinical signs. On 3 November, testing in Cornwall confirmed a mixed-serotype event on one premises, with two cattle positive for BTV-3 and one for BTV-8; additional non-negative pre-movement tests led to confirmations in single bovines in Cumbria and Derbyshire. On 1 November, four premises were confirmed with BTV-3 following clinical reports, involving two newborn dairy calves in Staffordshire, one dairy cow in Leicestershire, one pre-weaned suckler calf in Kent and one suckler cow in Cornwall. A further Cornwall premises that day returned mixed results through routine surveillance, with one animal positive for BTV-3 and one for BTV-8.
Defra’s assessment is that lower temperatures have reduced vector activity, making the risk of onward spread by midges in the south-east, East Anglia, the south-west and the north-east very low, meaning events are rare but cannot be excluded. Officials also note continuing risk from already infected midges and from infected germinal products. The risk of incursion of bluetongue virus from all routes remains at medium, indicating regular occurrence, while the risk of airborne incursion is now considered low.
From 10 November, Wales moved to an all-Wales restricted zone. The Welsh Government has ended the previous temporary control zone and lifted premises-level bluetongue-specific movement controls. Livestock can move between England and Wales without bluetongue vaccination or mitigation measures. Controls on germinal products continue. Donor animals must be tested before freezing and marketing semen, ova or embryos to provide quality assurance and to reduce longer-term transmission risk.
In England, the whole country remains a bluetongue restricted zone. Movements of animals within England do not require a specific bluetongue licence or pre-movement testing. However, freezing germinal products anywhere in England requires a specific licence and testing, with keepers responsible for the cost of sampling, postage and laboratory testing, as set out in the Defra declaration.
Movements from the restricted zone to other nations are governed by general licences. Defra publishes general licences covering movements of animals and germinal products from the restricted zone to Scotland and to Wales. Operators should verify the current licence conditions and any certification or testing requirements before moving stock or germinal material.
Vaccination guidance for BTV-3 is available alongside practical advice on slowing transmission, including midge control, biosecurity and prompt reporting. Keepers should remain vigilant for clinical signs and report suspected disease to the authorities.
Livestock identification and movement recording rules continue to apply for cattle, bison, buffalo, sheep, goats and deer. Keepers of camelids should contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency for advice or if uncertain about specific rules. Businesses engaged in imports, exports or EU trade in animals and animal products should check current requirements. Defra has published webinars, leaflets, videos and posters, and is managing the response under the Bluetongue disease control framework in England.