Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency report 249 confirmed bluetongue cases in Great Britain for the 2025 season to date. England accounts for 230 cases (222 BTV‑3 only, one BTV‑8 only, seven with both BTV‑3 and BTV‑8) and Wales for 19, with no cases confirmed in Scotland. Government guidance also notes one confirmed BTV‑3 case in Northern Ireland and signposts an interactive case map for affected premises.
Between 8 and 13 December, twelve new detections were recorded across South Yorkshire, Kent, Hampshire, Cornwall, Derbyshire, Cheshire and Somerset, and in Wales in Wrexham and Powys. These results arose through both routine surveillance and investigations following clinical signs including abortions, fever, milk drop and crusting around the muzzle.
Officials state that falling temperatures have reduced the likelihood of onward spread by midges to negligible in the south‑east, East Anglia, the south‑west and the north‑east. Infection can still occur from already infected midges or through infected germinal products. The overall risk of incursion from all routes remains at medium, while the risk of airborne incursion is now assessed as negligible.
England remains under a country‑wide restricted zone. Movements of susceptible livestock within England do not require a specific bluetongue licence or pre‑movement testing. Freezing germinal products-semen, ova and embryos-requires a licence and testing, with keepers meeting sampling, postage and laboratory costs as set out in the declaration.
Wales moved to an all‑Wales restricted zone from 00:01 on 10 November 2025. Temporary control zones and premises‑level restrictions were revoked, and livestock may move between England and Wales without mandatory bluetongue vaccination or mitigation measures; however, testing of donor animals continues to be required before freezing and marketing germinal products. Welsh Government guidance confirms the change and provides legal references for the declaration.
Cross‑border movements remain regulated. Defra signposts general licences for movements from the restricted zone to Scotland or Wales and separate rules for moving, freezing and storing germinal products. In Northern Ireland, DAERA has established two 20km Temporary Control Zones around Bangor and Greyabbey and, from 9 December, permits some movements by licence: moves off farms inside TCZs remain prohibited except direct to slaughter under general licence, while farmers outside TCZs may move livestock to Great Britain under normal requirements.
Vaccination and biosecurity are the main risk‑reduction measures through winter. Defra provides guidance on BTV‑3 vaccination and practical steps to slow spread. Welsh Government has advised keepers to discuss vaccination timing with their vets ahead of the next active transmission period expected in spring 2026.
Keepers should ensure compliance with identification and movement rules for cattle, sheep, goats and deer, and contact APHA if keeping camelids or where rules are unclear. The bluetongue zone map and case map remain the primary references for operational decisions, and suspected disease must be reported to APHA immediately.