Bluetongue in Great Britain: January 2026 case update

A bite from a tiny midge can disrupt a farm’s routine for weeks. Here’s where bluetongue stands now and how to read the science and the rules with your class. As of 30 January 2026, Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) report 282 confirmed cases in Great Britain in the 2025 season, which has run since July. (gov.uk)

Of those cases, England has 261-253 confirmed as BTV‑3 only, one as BTV‑8 only, and seven with both BTV‑3 and BTV‑8-while Wales has 21 BTV‑3 cases and Scotland has none. Northern Ireland has recorded four BTV‑3 cases, according to DAERA. These figures help you model spread across the UK and compare policy responses. (gov.uk)

January’s picture matters for lessons on surveillance. Between 27 and 29 January, five BTV‑3 cases were confirmed across East Sussex, West Sussex, Greater London and Shropshire. Earlier in the month, cases followed non‑negative private tests or clinical signs in Kent, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Devon and Cornwall. Several involved congenital problems in calves, which can happen when infection occurs during pregnancy. (gov.uk)

Quick explainer for students: bluetongue is a notifiable viral disease mainly spread by biting midges. It affects sheep, cattle, goats, deer and camelids. It does not affect people or food safety. “Serotypes” such as BTV‑3, BTV‑8 and BTV‑12 are variations of the virus; disease severity can vary by serotype and strain. (gov.uk)

To build data skills, use the official case map to spot clusters and movement over time, then ask why some counties report more cases than others. Check your observations against Defra’s running update and encourage pupils to timestamp their notes. (gov.uk)

Risk right now is shaped by temperature. With colder weather, Defra considers the risk of onward spread by midges in the south‑east, East Anglia, the south‑west and the north‑east to be negligible. Infections can still occur from already‑infected midges or through germinal products such as semen and embryos, so vigilance matters. (gov.uk)

For clear language work, explore how officials define risk: the overall risk of the virus arriving or re‑entering England from any route remains medium (“occurs regularly”), while the risk of airborne incursion is negligible. This is a useful case study in how science and policy communicate uncertainty. (gov.uk)

Movement rules are designed to reduce spread without stopping daily farm work. The whole of England is a restricted zone, so you can move animals within England without a bluetongue‑specific licence or pre‑movement testing. Since 10 November 2025, Wales has operated an all‑Wales restricted zone and routine livestock movements between England and Wales no longer require bluetongue vaccination or mitigation measures. Freezing germinal products anywhere in England needs a specific licence and testing, and keepers pay for sampling, postage and testing. (gov.uk)

Northern Ireland continues to manage a Temporary Control Zone around affected premises with movement under licence. Compare DAERA’s approach with the rules in England and Wales to help learners understand how devolved governments adapt controls to local conditions. (daera-ni.gov.uk)

Vaccination sits alongside biosecurity. Three BTV‑3 vaccines-Bluevac‑3, Bultavo 3 and SYVAZUL BTV 3-can be used in Great Britain under the relevant licence with reporting requirements for vets. Trade restrictions still apply to vaccinated animals, so vaccination is not a passport for movements. (gov.uk)

If you suspect bluetongue, you must report it-it’s a legal duty. In England call APHA on 03000 200 301; in Wales call 03003 038 268. APHA can authorise free lab testing of up to three affected animals in some circumstances and will advise on any further checks. Use this moment to teach what “notifiable disease” means in law and why rapid reporting protects herds. (gov.uk)

What this means for learners and keepers: this is a live example of vector‑borne disease management. Always check the source and the date before you share numbers-this update was published on 30 January 2026-and then connect the data to the season, movement controls and breeding rules. That habit turns headlines into understanding. (gov.uk)