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Bluetongue virus latest news
The latest updates, news and advice about the current bluetongue virus (BTV-3) situation in the UK.
What to do if you suspect an animal has bluetongue
Bluetongue is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.
If you have further questions or if you would like to speak to someone, call the AHDB bluetongue hotline on 024 7771 0386.
View the latest situation from Defra
Sign up for disease alertsBluetongue virus webinars
Our series of webinars provide the latest updates and presentations from industry experts on bluetongue.
The webinars offer vet practitioners and other stakeholders valuable technical information about BTV-3 that will help answer farmers' questions.
If you miss any of the webinars, you can catch up with the recordings on YouTube.
Latest situation
Where is bluetongue?
View the interactive bluetongue virus map
Frequently asked questions
A series of frequently asked questions (FAQs) have been developed with Defra and the wider industry to ensure you have factual, up-to-date information on bluetongue (BTV) during vector high-risk periods.
Moving animals
Some premises in England are under bluetongue restrictions. Control measures in restricted zones place restrictions on the movement of livestock and germinal products.
Conditions for allowing movements change as the disease situation changes. If you want to move animals, you must check the up-to-date requirements on the GOV.UK website.
You may need to:
- Download and comply with the conditions of a General Licence
- Apply for a specific licence for movement
Farms that have any land within a Restricted Zone, or straddle a boundary, are classified as being within the Restricted Zone.
In Restricted Zones, more movement of animals is likely to risk causing more spread of the virus. Please think – is the move really necessary? If not, please do not move.
Animals within the Restricted Zone are allowed to move under general licence to other premises within the Restricted Zone without a licence. This includes to an abattoir within the Restricted Zone.
Please take precautions when moving and checking your stock for possible signs of disease and spray the inside of vehicles with insecticide before loading.
Please only move animals when absolutely necessary.
- Animals may be moved into a market within the Restricted Zone but on leaving the market cannot be moved to premises outside of the zone
- Moves to markets outside the zones are not currently allowed
- Animals within the Restricted Zone may move to a designated abattoir outside the Restricted Zone using a general licence (EXD603), but you must apply for a specific licence to do so
Please read and fully comply with the terms of that licence to avoid spreading disease outside of the zone.
You cannot move animals to premises located outside the zone without a specific licence.
Affected animals in the Restricted Zone will not be culled. If cases occur outside the Restricted Zone, whether culling occurs or not will be decided by Defra.
APHA is conducting active surveillance around affected premises but the main focus of surveillance will now be at the edge of the zones.
Germinal products, like semen, cannot be frozen within the zone and existing material cannot be moved out except under specific licence.
| Type of movement | Current status | Legislation applicable RZ/IA | Legislation applicable RZ/IA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Movement of animals from a holding within the RZ to an abattoir within the RZ | This movement is allowed under a general licence |
EXD612(E) (GL) General licence under the Movement of Animals (Restrictions) (England) Order 2002 (as amended) Download the licence |
|
| Movement of animals from a holding within the RZ to another holding within the RZ | This movement is allowed under a general licence |
EXD612(E) (GL) General licence under the Movement of Animals (Restrictions) (England) Order 2002 (as amended) Download the licence |
|
| Movement of animals from a free area into the RZ | This movement is allowed under a general licence |
EXD612(E) (GL) General licence under the Movement of Animals (Restrictions) (England) Order 2002 (as amended) Download the licence |
|
| Movement of animals within the RZ to a market also within the RZ | This movement is allowed under a general licence |
EXD612(E) (GL) General licence under the Movement of Animals (Restrictions) (England) Order 2002 (as amended) Download the licence |
|
| Movement of animals from a holding* within the RZ out of the RZ to live | You must apply for a specific licence | *the holding must not be under BTV premises restriction | Apply for an exemption from animal disease movement restrictions |
| Movement of animals from a holding within the RZ to a market outside the RZ | Movement not permitted | Movement not permitted | Movement not permitted |
| Movement of animals purchased at a market within the RZ to a destination outside the RZ | Movement not permitted | Movement not permitted | Movement not permitted |
| Movement of animals from holdings which have land within the RZ which straddles the boundary |
These holdings are classified as being within the RZ. Animals within the boundary of the RZ cannot move outside the RZ without a specific licence. If in doubt call the Bluetongue hotline 024 7771 0386 |
Apply for an exemption from animal disease movement restrictions | |
| Collection and freezing of germinal products | If you wish to freeze germinal products in the RZ, you must obtain a specific licence. If you operate a germinal product collection centre, you may apply to be designated. |
Apply for an exemption from animal disease movement restrictions | |
| Movement of germinal products within the RZ | This movement is allowed and a licence is not required | Not applicable |
The information in this table is correct as of 24 September 2024, however, it is subject to change. Please visit the GOV.UK website for the most up to date licencing information.
Check the latest movement licences and designated slaughterhouses (GOV.UK)
Farmers and the industry are reminded they must remain Aware, apply Caution and use evidence-based Tactics (ACT) to mitigate against the virus.
- Awareness of how BTV-3 is transmitted as a vector-borne disease
- Caution against any misinformation, but instead view the latest facts
- Tactics on farm to help with midge control must be evidence-based
Free testing
Free testing for bluetongue virus is available if you plan to move animals out of high-risk counties e.g. for sale to another farm or a market outside a high-risk county.
Note: You need to apply for free testing at least 10 working days before the planned movement or market date.
What is bluetongue?
Bluetongue is a non-contagious, viral disease affecting domestic and wild ruminants (sheep, cattle, goats and deer), which is transmitted by biting midges. It does not affect people or food safety, but outbreaks can result in prolonged animal movement and trade restrictions.
Clinical signs include:
- Lameness
- Lethargy
- Ulcers/sores around nose and mout
- Fever
- Not eating
- Milk drop
View photos of the clinical signs of bluetongue
It has a significant global distribution in regions where the insect vector (i.e. biting midges species Culicoides) is present, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North America.
Outbreaks occur when susceptible sheep, particularly European breeds, are introduced to endemic areas or when the virus is introduced to a region by windborne movement of infected Culicoides. It can also be introduced through the import of an infected animal or germinal products (semen or embryos).
Infected cattle play a significant role in maintaining the virus in a region. Cattle may serve as a source of the virus for several weeks while displaying little or no clinical signs of disease and are often the preferred host for insect vectors.
Find out more about BTV, including how to spot, prevent and control it
Further information about bluetongue
If you have questions or if you would like to speak to someone about bluetongue, please call the AHDB bluetongue virus hotline: 024 7771 0386
Visit the Ruminant Health & Welfare website
Download a quick reference factsheet
Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease (GOV.UK)