UK bluetongue BTV-3: December cases, risk, rules
Let’s make sense of the government’s latest bluetongue update together. Our aim is simple: you leave this page knowing what bluetongue is, where cases are, what the current risk looks like, and the rules that actually affect farmers, students on placement, and anyone studying food and farming.
As of 13 December 2025, Great Britain has recorded 249 bluetongue cases since July. England accounts for 230 (mostly BTV‑3, with one BTV‑8 and a handful of mixed BTV‑3/BTV‑8), Wales has 19, and Scotland has none. Northern Ireland has one confirmed BTV‑3 case reported by DAERA. These figures come directly from Defra’s running bulletin and may change as investigations conclude.
If you want to see where cases have appeared, Defra publishes a live case map showing premises that tested positive by PCR for BTV‑3, BTV‑8 or BTV‑12. It’s a useful teaching tool for geography and biology classes as well as farm planning.
A snapshot for the week of 8 to 13 December shows twelve new cases across South Yorkshire, Wrexham, Cornwall, Derbyshire, Powys, Kent, Hampshire, Cheshire and Somerset, identified through both routine surveillance and checks prompted by clinical signs. Recent clinical reports included fever, milk drop, reduced appetite, abortions, swelling of the head and crusting around the nostrils.
What is bluetongue, in plain English? It’s a virus that affects ruminants such as cattle and sheep. It spreads via tiny biting midges rather than by direct animal‑to‑animal contact. That means weather and midge activity matter, and why you’ll see risk updates change with the seasons.
Scientists advising government now judge the chance of onward spread by midges to be negligible in the south‑east, East Anglia, the south‑west and the north‑east, thanks to lower temperatures. Even so, infection can still occur from midges already carrying the virus or from infected germinal products such as semen or embryos. The overall risk of new virus incursion remains medium, with airborne incursion described as negligible.
Control zones shape what you can do. All of England is currently a bluetongue restricted zone. Wales moved to an all‑Wales restricted zone at 00:01 on 10 November 2025, ending the earlier temporary control zone and premises‑level restrictions. Movements of livestock between England and Wales no longer need vaccination or added mitigation, but testing rules continue for germinal products.
Movement basics to keep in mind: within England you can move animals without a bluetongue licence or pre‑movement testing. Freezing semen, ova or embryos anywhere in England requires a specific licence and testing, with keepers covering sampling, postage and lab costs. There are general licences for certain moves from the restricted zone to Scotland or Wales, and DAERA can license some moves from Northern Ireland to Great Britain. If in doubt, check the official licences before arranging transport.
If you keep cattle, sheep or goats, here’s what to do next. Check whether you’re in a restricted zone using the official map, keep clear records of movements, and speak with your vet about BTV‑3 vaccination options and timing. If you keep camelids (llamas or alpacas) or you’re unsure about rules, APHA can advise. Staying alert to signs and reporting quickly helps reduce impact on animal welfare and farm income.
For students and new farm staff, this is a good media‑literacy exercise. Start with “Total number of cases” to anchor your understanding, then read “Latest updates” for context on how cases are found. Cross‑check “Risk level” against recent weather and “Control zones” against your postcode, and use the case map to practise reading official data. These steps turn a dense notice into a clear plan of action.
A quick word on language you’ll see in updates. PCR refers to the lab test used to detect the virus. “Germinal products” means semen, ova and embryos used for breeding. A “restricted zone” is designed to manage disease while allowing day‑to‑day farming to continue with rules that lower risk.
The bottom line for now: case numbers have risen this month, but colder weather has lowered the chance of midges spreading the virus in several parts of England. Movement rules remain in force, and testing continues around breeding material. Keep one eye on the official page for changes, and if you’re teaching this topic, use the map and the weekly notes to help learners connect policy with evidence.