Bluetongue in Great Britain: 180 cases, BTV-3 leads
If you’re studying animal health-or managing stock-here’s the picture today. As of Thursday 13 November 2025, officials report 180 bluetongue cases in Great Britain since July: 167 in England and 13 in Wales, with none in Scotland. Of England’s cases, 161 are BTV‑3 only, one is BTV‑8 only, and five show both BTV‑3 and BTV‑8. Defra also provides a case map showing PCR‑positive premises. Always check the “last updated” line because this page changes quickly.
Bluetongue is a viral disease of ruminants spread by tiny biting midges (Culicoides). Animals don’t pass it directly to each other like a cold; the insect does the moving. It does not affect people or food safety. Scientists classify the virus into many “serotypes”-think of them as distinct families within the same virus.
This season in Great Britain, BTV‑3 is doing most of the work. BTV‑8 has also been detected-its first UK appearance since 2008-and a handful of mixed BTV‑3/BTV‑8 detections have been recorded. The difference matters because vaccines and trade rules are serotype‑specific. The official case list relies on PCR testing to confirm serotypes.
Through early November, new detections were logged across southern and western counties, including East and West Sussex, Hampshire and Devon, with further findings in places such as Cheshire, Staffordshire, the Isle of Wight and Somerset. Many were picked up by routine surveillance and pre‑movement testing, which is exactly what those checks are for.
Officials now rate onward spread by midges as very low in several regions as temperatures drop, while the overall chance of new introductions from outside remains medium; the risk from airborne routes is low. In plain English: widespread midge‑borne spread is unlikely right now, but isolated infections can still appear.
Control rules are designed to be practical for keepers and transparent for students learning how disease policy works. England has been a single restricted zone since 1 July 2025, which means you can move susceptible animals within England without a bluetongue‑specific licence, though restrictions remain on freezing semen, ova and embryos.
Wales moved to an all‑Wales restricted zone at 00:01 on 10 November 2025. That ended the temporary control zone and premises‑level restrictions. Livestock can move between England and Wales without bluetongue vaccination or extra mitigation, but testing rules still apply for germinal products. If you’re teaching this, note how policy shifts as seasons change.
Vaccination now plays a central role. Three BTV‑3 vaccines-Bluevac‑3, Bultavo 3 and SYVAZUL BTV 3-are authorised for use in Great Britain with specific reporting and licensing conditions. Your vet should advise on timing and eligibility. Trade rules still apply to vaccinated animals, so plan movements accordingly and report your vaccine use where required.
Practical steps help on farm and in the classroom case study. Keep sourcing animals responsibly, watch for signs, and house stock to reduce midge contact-especially at dawn and dusk. Maintain strong hygiene and ensure animals can be traced. If you use or store semen or embryos, follow testing rules before freezing and marketing.
Word check for learners and new keepers: vector means the insect that carries the virus from one animal to another; serotype means a specific version of the virus recognised by the immune system; PCR is the lab test used to confirm infection; germinal products are semen, ova and embryos used for breeding; a restricted zone is an area with specific, published rules rather than full movement bans.
What it means for you right now: inside England, routine animal movements can continue within the restricted zone, but freezing germinal products needs a licence and testing. In Wales, movements run more freely than during the temporary control zone, yet breeding material still comes with safeguards. If bluetongue is on your syllabus, track how these measures balance animal health, trade and welfare using Defra’s updates as your primary source.