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Publication - Advice and guidance

Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease

Last updated
21 August 2026 - see all updates
Directorate
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic
Farming and rural

Advice on what to do if you suspect there is an outbreak of this infectious disease.

Part of

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Confirmed bluetongue cases in Scotland. Check the latest situation, including current case numbers.

Bluetongue is a notifiable insect-borne viral disease that affects sheep, cattle, other ruminants such as goats, and camelids such as llamas.  

It is mostly spread by midges, although it can also be spread by:

  • natural or artificial breeding
  • through the placenta from mother to offspring

It does not affect people or food safety.   

Outbreaks can result in prolonged animal movement and trade restrictions.

The disease itself can be very serious, causing:

  • high rates of death in infected sheep
  • significant fertility and productivity problems in infected cattle 

Animal keepers should be very vigilant for any signs of notifiable disease and immediately report any suspected cases to APHA.  

We strongly recommend all keepers of ruminants consult their private vet on how best to protect themselves, in particular vaccination against bluetongue.

If you're thinking of bringing animals into Scotland

We call on animal keepers to observer responsible purchasing and ensure they consider the risks carefully.

You should:

  • check the health status of the animals
  • make sure they meet all licence or import conditions

Human health implications

The disease does not affect humans.

Contact

If you suspect signs of any notifiable diseases, you must immediately notify your Scotland: field service local office at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Failure to do so is an offence.

First published
29 October 2018
Last updated
21 August 2026 - show all updates

  1. Updated total cases and changes made to movement restrictions for animals.

  2. Updates made to movement conditions within a temporary control zone, total number of cases and movement controls.

  3. Update made to movement conditions within a temporary control zone.

  4. Updated made to movement restrictions section.

  5. Latest situation updated with current cases and TCZ information.

  6. Several updates made to include latest situation section, update on movement restrictions and controls in place.

  7. Current situation updated.

  8. Current situation updated.

  9. Current situation and overview updated.

  10. Current situation updated following single positive case detected in Scotland.

  11. Update to the Bluetongue movement restrictions for animals and germinal products (licensing) page.

  12. Updates to overview and movement restrictions pages.

  13. Updated movement restriction and importing from affected countries pages.

  14. Revised layout of the movement controls page to make it clearer to follow.

  15. Licensing section updated on Bluetongue movement restrictions for animals and germinal products (licensing) page.

  16. Updated movement restrictions page and archived movement restrictions from 1 June page.

  17. Updates to movement restrictions page from 1 June 2026 to include license information and links.

  18. Changes made to movement restrictions page from 1 June 2026 to include information about adjustments for new licensing process under general license.

  19. Created new page for movement restrictions from 1 June 2026.

  20. Updates to overview and movement restrictions sections to include movement restrictions from 1 June 2026 to 9 September 2026.

  21. Minor text updates to overview and movement restrictions sections.

  22. Minor text updates to overview and movement restrictions sections.

  23. Update to overview and movement restrictions section to reflect current situation.

  24. Licence details and links updated on overview and movement restrictions pages.

  25. Minor text update made to bluetongue movement restrictions section.

  26. Updates to overview and bluetongue movement restrictions sections.

  27. Updates to overview page.

  28. Bluetongue movement restrictions section updated.

  29. Guide updated to reflect rule changes.

  30. Update to germinal products on Bluetongue movement restrictions page.

  31. Text on specified sales in the restricted zone added to Bluetongue movement restrictions for animals (licensing).

  32. Updates to movement restrictions page.

  33. Added non-compliance info.

  34. Update to germinal products on Bluetongue movement restrictions page.

  35. Added further details on germinal products and Restricted Zones.

  36. Added further details to the movement restrictions page.

  37. Updates to movement restrictions page.

  38. Additional regions added to designated slaughterhouses.

  39. Added links to licensing forms on gov.uk.

  40. Various updates to licensing page, now Bluetongue movement restrictions for animals page.

  41. Updates made to licensing page.

  42. Updates made to the licensing section.

  43. Updates made to licensing page.

  44. Updated information relating to current situation and licensing.

  45. Added advisory note for veterinarians prescribing BTV-3 inactivated vaccine.

  46. Updates made to licensing page.

  47. Current situation updated.

  48. Current situation updated.

  49. Updated to explain that BTV serotype 3 vaccines have been permitted for emergency use in Scotland.

  50. Updated section in how to control disease.

  51. Added link to clinical signs page.

  52. Updates made to licensing page.

  53. Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease

  54. Added link to Bluetongue webinar.

  55. Update to licensing section.

  56. Licensing page updated to include designated slaughterhouses section and minor text amend.

  57. Text updated to reflect latest situation and put into chaptered html pages.

  58. Clinical signs posters added as supporting documents and minor text updates.

  59. Page content updated to reflect latest situation.

  60. Leaflet removed pending update.

  61. Updated throughout with current situation.

  62. Current situation information updated.

  63. Leaflet added as supporting document.

  64. Updated with current situation.

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