Bluetongue virus (BTV) is no longer a theoretical or distant concern for UK livestock farmers. It is now firmly established in Great Britain, and as we move towards another midge season, it is essential that clients understand the current picture, the genuine risks to their herds and flocks, and the steps that can be taken now to reduce those risks.
As of 29th April 2026, there have been 333 confirmed cases of bluetongue in Great Britain during the 2025/26 vector season, with both BTV‑3 and BTV‑8 circulating in England and Wales. This confirms that we are dealing with more than one strain of the disease, and that bluetongue is likely to remain part of the UK livestock disease landscape for the foreseeable future.
Learning from Europe: Why This Year Matters
One of the most important lessons emerging from mainland Europe is that early years of a new bluetongue serotype tend to cause the greatest damage. At a recent European bluetongue meeting in Spain, veterinary colleagues from across the continent were clear: when a new strain becomes established in a region, losses are often heavy because neither farmers nor vets are fully prepared.
Crucially, the second year of circulation is often worse than the first. This is highly relevant for the UK, particularly when considering the vaccination status of most sheep flocks and cattle herds against BTV‑8. While some producers may feel reassured that the UK avoided widespread devastation from BTV‑3 in 2025, this should not breed complacency. Instead, it should prompt a closer examination of what has happened elsewhere.
In northern France, BTV‑8 caused significant production losses last year, and the virus continues to circulate across several European countries. Midges are capable of travelling long distances, and there is no biological reason to assume that BTV‑8 will be less severe or less widespread in the UK than BTV‑3 as we move through summer 2026.
The European situation has become even more complex with the emergence of additional serotypes. In August 2025, BTV‑5 was confirmed for the first time in Europe, following fatal cases in sheep in Sardinia. This underlines the importance of continued vigilance, prompt reporting of suspect cases, and ongoing diagnostic investigation.
Clinical Signs and Wider Disease Risks
Many of the bluetongue cases seen in Britain during 2026 have been linked to infection in pregnant animals, particularly cattle. These cases have resulted in abortion, stillbirths, or weak, non‑viable calves that fail to survive after birth. Updated figures are published regularly on the GOV.UK website and reinforce the real production and welfare impacts of infection.
It is also important to remain aware that foot‑and‑mouth disease (FMD) is currently present in parts of Europe, with case numbers rising this year. Some early clinical signs of FMD can resemble bluetongue, making rapid veterinary involvement and laboratory confirmation essential. Prompt reporting protects individual farms and the wider industry.
Vaccination: Understanding the Limitations as Well as the Benefits
Vaccination remains the most effective tool available to protect livestock from bluetongue. However, it is vital to understand its limitations.
- BTV‑3 vaccines currently available in the UK offer no protection against BTV‑8 or any other serotype.
- At present, there are no multivalent vaccines available that protect against both BTV‑3 and BTV‑8 in a single injection.
- BTV‑8 vaccines are licensed and available in the UK, but demand has so far been lower, meaning they may not be as easy to obtain at short notice.
This makes forward planning essential. Vaccination courses take time to complete, and immunity needs to be established before peak midge activity, not once disease is already circulating locally. Check out our online shop or pop into practice to see what we have in stock!
Veterinary consultant Fiona Lovatt of Flock Health Ltd summarises the situation clearly:
“The fact that BTV‑3 didn’t cause the widespread losses some feared in 2025 is not a reason for complacency. It’s a reason to look more carefully at the evidence from Europe. None of us know exactly what will happen this summer, but our job is to make sure farmers understand the risks and can make informed decisions before the midge season – not after.”
Planning Ahead Protects Your Business
There is very limited treatment available once an animal becomes infected with bluetongue, meaning prevention is critical. Decisions around vaccination should be based on farm‑specific risk, including stock type, location, breeding plans, and previous disease exposure.
AHDB has produced free vaccination cost calculators for sheep, beef, and dairy farms to help assess the financial implications and balance the costs against potential losses. These tools can support productive discussions between farmers and their veterinary team, give us a call at Severn Edge Farm to find out more.
Our Advice to Farmers
Bluetongue is now part of the UK disease reality. The question is no longer if risk exists, but how prepared individual farms are.
We strongly encourage all livestock keepers to:
- Review their current bluetongue risk
- Understand which serotypes they are protected against – and which they are not
- Plan vaccination well ahead of the peak midge season
- Speak to their vet now, rather than waiting for clinical signs to appear
Early, informed decision‑making remains the best defence against what could be a challenging summer for UK livestock.
Give us a call on 01746 713911 to find out how we can help you and your stock.
