Bluetongue UK January 2026: cases, zones and rules

Here’s the plain‑English version of what Defra and APHA are reporting today, Monday 26 January 2026. Great Britain has recorded 277 bluetongue cases so far this season: 256 in England and 21 in Wales, with none in Scotland. Most English detections are BTV‑3; there is one BTV‑8 case and seven premises with both strains. Northern Ireland has four confirmed BTV‑3 cases. Bluetongue affects ruminants, not people, and does not change food safety. If you keep livestock, stay alert and report concerns promptly. (gov.uk)

The winter picture matters for spread. With lower temperatures, officials assess the risk of onward transmission by midges in the south‑east, East Anglia, the south‑west and the north‑east as negligible. There is still a medium overall risk of new introductions from outside Great Britain, and infection can occur from already infected midges or from germinal products. That means low-but not zero-risk in late January. (gov.uk)

If you are sketching a quick timeline, January brought a steady trickle of confirmations: cases were logged on 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 16, 19, 20 and 22 January across counties including Devon, Cornwall, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Lancashire and Kent. Defra’s log notes five confirmations between 16 and 22 January alone. Use this to practise turning official updates into a dated timeline. (gov.uk)

To understand the geography, start with the official case map that shows any premises with a PCR‑confirmed result for BTV‑3, BTV‑8 or BTV‑12. Then check the zone map to see whether your holding sits inside a restricted zone before planning moves. Think “map first, phone call second” when organising transport. (experience.arcgis.com)

If you farm in England, the whole country has been a restricted zone since 1 July 2025. You can move animals within England without a specific bluetongue licence or pre‑movement test as long as you meet the conditions of the general licence; movements to Scotland or Wales must follow those nations’ rules. Keep these two ideas together in your notes: within‑zone moves are simpler; cross‑border moves are controlled. (gov.uk)

In Wales, a country‑wide restricted zone has applied since 10 November 2025. That change ended the temporary control zone and lifted earlier premises‑level restrictions. Movement between England and Wales no longer needs bluetongue vaccination or extra mitigation, but rules for semen, ova and embryos continue to apply. If you’re studying policy shifts, mark 10 November as the pivot point. (gov.wales)

Germinal products need special attention. To freeze semen, ova or embryos in England you must either use a designated premises or apply for a specific licence, and donors must be tested after collection using PCR or ELISA within set windows. Keepers cover the sampling, postage and testing costs. In class, treat this as a worked example of risk management for long‑lived biological materials. (gov.uk)

Northern Ireland is managed separately. As of 19 December 2025, four premises in County Down were confirmed with BTV‑3, and on 23 January 2026 authorities reported a further suspect case under investigation. Movement is governed by a Temporary Control Zone, and trade rules differ from Great Britain. If you trade across the Irish Sea, check DAERA’s notices first. (daera-ni.gov.uk)

Vaccination is available for BTV‑3 in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, with country‑specific conditions. Current guidance lists Bluevac‑3, Bultavo 3 and SYVAZUL BTV 3; record use as required, and avoid testing vaccinated animals for at least seven days so results aren’t distorted. A quick revision cue: vaccine chosen, licence checked, records kept. (gov.uk)

Knowing the signs helps you act early. Look out for fever, ulcers around the muzzle, swelling of the head, drooling, lameness, milk drop and, in some herds, abortions or weak calves and lambs. Bluetongue is notifiable-if you suspect it, you must contact APHA. For learners, this is classic “spot, isolate, report”. (gov.uk)

Here’s a study tip for the rules you’ll meet most often. A restricted zone sets broad movement rules for a large area; an infected area applies legal restrictions that are then managed via general or specific licences. That is why within‑England moves can use a general licence, while certain cross‑border moves or germinal‑product activities still need extra paperwork. (gov.uk)

What this means for you. Start with the maps, confirm which rules apply today, talk to your vet about vaccination and winter biosecurity, and keep a dated log of official updates. This isn’t about guesswork; it’s about building habits that keep animals healthy and teaching others how to read reliable sources. (defra.maps.arcgis.com)