Bluetongue in Britain: October 2025 cases and rules
You’ve probably seen bluetongue back in the headlines. Here’s the plain‑English version teachers and students can use in class today. As of Monday 27 October 2025, Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) record 130 confirmed cases in Great Britain since the vector season began in July: in England, 122 BTV‑3, 2 BTV‑8 and one mixed BTV‑3/BTV‑8 case; in Wales, five BTV‑3; none in Scotland. Defra’s page was last updated on 27 October.
Bluetongue is a virus spread mostly by tiny biting midges that infect ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats, and also camelids like alpacas. It does not infect people and it does not make food unsafe. When you read about cases, we’re talking about animal health and farm business risk, not a human disease. That distinction matters for media literacy.
You’ll see two shorthand labels: BTV‑3 and BTV‑8. These are serotypes – think of them as different strains that need matching vaccines. The current picture is BTV‑3 circulating in several English counties and parts of Wales, and BTV‑8 re‑appearing: the UK confirmed its first BTV‑8 case since 2008 in Cornwall on 26 September 2025.
If you’re tracking the week’s movement, officials confirmed multiple findings from Friday 24 October: cases linked to premises in Cheshire, Cornwall, Derbyshire and Shropshire in England, plus one in Monmouthshire in Wales. One English incident involved both BTV‑3 and BTV‑8 in a single group of cattle in Cornwall. These sit within the running totals above.
Quick definitions help. “Vector season” is the period when midges are active and able to transmit virus, typically spring to late autumn. With recent cooler weather, Defra now assesses the risk of onward spread by midges as low in the south‑east, East Anglia, the south‑west and the north‑east, though the chance of new introductions into Britain remains medium overall. That’s why vigilance still matters even as temperatures dip.
On movement rules, England has been under a single Bluetongue Restricted Zone since 1 July 2025. That means you can move susceptible animals within England without a bluetongue‑specific licence or pre‑movement test, although freezing germinal products like semen, ova and embryos anywhere in England needs a specific licence and testing, with keepers covering sampling and lab costs.
Wales is operating a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) around a Monmouthshire premises confirmed with BTV‑3 on 26 September. A TCZ tightens movements locally while surveillance continues, with Welsh Government publishing the legal declaration and general licences. If you keep stock near the border, you should read those conditions carefully with your vet.
Cross‑border moves still carry conditions. Moving from England into Scotland or Wales can require general licences and, in some situations, testing before movement. Markets, shows and slaughterhouses inside England operate within the Restricted Zone rules, but journeys out of England are managed by the destination nation’s conditions. Checking the official guidance before you book a lorry is essential.
Vaccination is now a practical option for BTV‑3. Three vaccines – Bluevac‑3, Bultavo 3 and SYVAZUL BTV 3 – can be used in Great Britain in line with licence conditions, and Defra’s keeper guidance notes no known trading restrictions on products from vaccinated animals. Northern Ireland has different rules and, at the time of the latest update, no BTV‑3 vaccines were licensed there. Speak to your vet about timing and records.
Spotting signs early helps. Farmers report fever, mouth ulcers, swelling of the head or tongue, lameness and milk drop in affected animals, though signs can vary and can be mild. Bluetongue is a notifiable disease: if you suspect it, contact APHA immediately and follow official instructions while a vet assesses the situation.
Why serotypes and wind matter is a good classroom discussion. APHA explained in 2024 that infected midges can be blown across the Channel, which is why surveillance and vaccination plans focus on matching the circulating serotype. It’s also why we expect seasonal risk to rise with warmer, windier conditions and fall back as midges slow down in cooler months.
What you can do this week: check your postcode against Defra’s zone map before any moves; plan BTV‑3 vaccination with your vet and keep meticulous records; house stock at dawn and dusk to limit midge bites; and source animals responsibly. If you teach agriculture, use Defra/APHA updates in lessons so students learn to read official data and timelines with care.