Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease
Advice on what to do if you suspect there is an outbreak of this infectious disease.
Latest situation
Total number of cases
Species |
Number of animals confirmed with BTV-3 |
|---|---|
|
Sheep (including ewes, rams and lambs) |
4 |
|
Cattle (including cows, heifers and calves) |
1 |
Scotland
There have been 4 affected holdings in Scotland:
- 14 August 2026 - a premises near Newton Stewart
- 14 August 2026 - a premises near Newton Stewart
- 12 August 2026 - a premises near Newton Stewart
- 9 August 2026 - a premises near Newton Stewart
The first cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) of the 2026 to 2027 outbreak season were confirmed on:
- 10 July 2026 in England
- 8 August 2026 in Scotland in a single sheep
For information on BTV case numbers in Scotland, England and Wales please visit Gov.UK Bluetongue latest information (updated daily).
Changes in our control strategy
In response to the deteriorating situation in England and Wales changes will be made to Scotland's bluetongue virus serotype 3 control strategy:
- from 22 August, animals travelling from Scotland to gatherings such as markets or shows in bluetongue-affected areas of England and Wales must return home the same day
- from 10 September, all susceptible livestock moving from a bluetongue control zone into Scotland will need to be vaccinated, with limited exemptions
What to report and current rules
Bluetongue affects cattle, sheep, and goats among other ruminants, is a notifiable disease and if you suspect your animals are affected you must immediately notify your local APHA office. Failure to do so is an offence.
Vaccination is the best measure to protect their animals from the worst effects of the disease. Refer to the other sections of this guide and supporting documents for more information on clinical signs.
Movement controls are currently in place for susceptible animals and germinal products moving from bluetongue Restricted Zones (England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man). We expect these controls to remain until at least 9 September 2026, after which controls will reduce as temperatures gradually reduce, decreasing the risk of transmission in Scotland through the midge vector.
Europe
Bluetongue has been reported in several European countries.
See the current outbreak assessments and the map of Restricted Zones in place across Europe for more detail.
The rules mean:
- you cannot currently trade live ruminant animals from Great Britain to the EU
- you cannot currently move live ruminant animals to Northern Ireland
- movements from other parts of the UK to Scotland are subject to conditions
Speak to your vet about the risks of importing stock from countries affected by bluetongue.
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.