Great Britain bluetongue March 2026: cases and rules

If you keep or study cattle, sheep, goats or deer, you’re part of the story. Here’s the clear, classroom-ready picture of bluetongue in Great Britain as of Friday 20 March 2026, with simple takeaways you can use on farm or in a lesson. We’ll cover what bluetongue is, where cases are, how the virus moves, and the current rules on zones, movements and vaccines.

First, the snapshot. Since 1 July 2025 there have been 325 confirmed bluetongue cases across Great Britain: 303 in England and 22 in Wales, with none in Scotland. Northern Ireland has five confirmed BTV‑3 cases. The government page carrying these figures was last updated on 20 March 2026. You can also check the official case map for locations. (gov.uk)

What’s new this week? On 20 March 2026, three further BTV‑3 cases were confirmed in England in Hampshire, Cumbria and Staffordshire. The previous day, 19 March, Defra reported one BTV‑3 case in Kent and one BTV‑8 case in Cornwall. These recent cases included neurological signs and congenital problems in calves, which is why vets are watching births closely. (gov.uk)

Let’s pause for definitions. Bluetongue is a viral disease of ruminants. It spreads mainly via tiny biting midges known as Culicoides. Midges are usually active from April to November, and can be blown long distances by the wind. Crucially, bluetongue does not infect humans and is not a food safety risk. (gov.uk)

Risk today is about pathways. Because temperatures remain low, experts rate onward spread by midges in England as negligible right now. But infection can still be introduced or passed on through germinal products such as semen, ova and embryos, so controls on these remain important. Government continues to rate overall incursion risk from all routes as medium, with airborne incursion negligible. (gov.uk)

Where do zones fit in? The whole of England is a bluetongue restricted zone. You can move animals within England without a specific bluetongue licence or pre‑movement testing, but freezing germinal products anywhere in England requires a specific licence and testing, payable by the keeper. Use the official zone map to see your area. (gov.uk)

Wales has an all‑Wales restricted zone in place since 00:01 on 10 November 2025. Temporary control zones and premises‑level restrictions there have ended, and livestock can move freely between England and Wales without bluetongue vaccination. Restrictions continue for germinal products: donor testing is still required before freezing and marketing. (gov.uk)

Planning a move? Within the restricted zone, normal within‑England movements are permitted if you meet the general licence conditions. For movements between zones or to Scotland or Wales, check the relevant general licences. If moves involve Northern Ireland, follow DAERA guidance linked from the official page. Build in time for paperwork and keep records tidy. (gov.uk)

Vaccination is now part of the toolkit. Three BTV‑3 vaccines have UK marketing authorisations. You must report any use of a BTV‑3 vaccine, and vets should be involved in prescribing. Keep in mind that testing within seven days of vaccination may produce false positives-plan sampling dates with your vet. (gov.uk)

What this means for learning and for farms: vectors matter most in warm months, so late winter and early spring are a revision window. Revisit housing at dawn and dusk to reduce midge contact, review sourcing policies, and refresh biosecurity, including safe handling of aborted material and afterbirth. These small steps slow spread. (gov.uk)

A quick language check you can use in class. ‘Great Britain’ means England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland is part of the UK but not of Great Britain, which is why you’ll see GB totals alongside separate Northern Ireland updates. Use the official case and zone maps for local context before any movements. (gov.uk)

Finally, reporting is a legal duty and a learning moment. Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. If you suspect signs-such as mouth ulcers, swelling, fever, lameness or calves born small, weak or blind-contact APHA immediately and follow the reporting process set out by government. (gov.uk)