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
A Restricted Zone (RZ) is in place in south west Scotland. Find out what you need to do if you're affected.
From 10 September 2026, the Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) in Scotland became a Restricted Zone (RZ). Movement restrictions for animals moving to the free area of Scotland will change, but from 10 September all movements from any RZ area (Scotland/England/Wales) will be the same.
Bluetongue (BTV-3) cases in Scotland
Species |
BTV-3 animals confirmed |
|---|---|
|
Sheep (including ewes, rams and lambs) |
21 |
|
Cattle (including cows, heifers and calves) |
71 |
There are 29 confirmed affected holdings in Scotland. They are:
| Near to (approximate): | Number of affected holdings |
|---|---|
| Newton Stewart |
6 |
| Lockerbie |
3 |
| Kirkcudbright |
4 |
| Dumfries |
4 |
| Castle Douglas |
3 |
| Dalbeattie | 2 |
| Twynholm | 1 |
| Cannonbie | 1 |
| Annan | 1 |
| Gatehouse of Fleet | 1 |
| Gretna | 1 |
| South Aberdeenshire | 1 |
| Stranraer | 1 |
Infected farms are placed initially under restrictions but the extent and duration of these are determined locally on a risk basis by APHA so keepers should discuss with APHA.
Infected animals are generally required to remain on farm, for a minimum of 60 days, but the expectation is that the majority of healthy, not infected animals in these farms can be traded as normal in the zone, and under licence out of the zone. Any animals with clinical signs must not be moved.
As of 10 September there is no longer a 6 months restriction on animals from positive farms to leave the zone to the free area.
The bluetongue case map shows the location of premises where one or more animals have tested positive by PCR for bluetongue.
The first cases of BTV-3 in the 2026 to 2027 outbreak season were confirmed in:
-
England on 10 July 2026
-
Scotland on 8 August 2026
For information on BTV case numbers see Gov.uk Bluetongue latest information.
BTV-3 control strategy changes
From 10 September 2026:
- the Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) in Scotland became a Restricted Zone (RZ) – conditions to move animals from the RZ to the free area of Scotland will remain the same as movements from the TCZ
- movement restrictions from the RZ's in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be the same as those from the RZ in Scotland
- new movement licences are available on gov.scot
- breeding bulls and pregnant cows require a vaccination and a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test if leaving an RZ and moving to the free area of Scotland (unless vaccinated with bultavo-3)
- all other bovines, ovine or caprine species do not require vaccination or a PCR test to leave an RZ
- there will be no bluetongue controls on the movement of animals moving between RZs of Scotland, England and Wales
- movements from Northern Ireland require a DAERA export health certificate which includes specific bluetongue attestations that mirror controls from other RZ areas in the UK – movement to Northern Ireland is not permitted
- cattle that have completed a vaccination course using the Bultavo-3 vaccine - with 21 days elapsing since completion of the primary course, and have received a vaccine booster if 12 months have elapsed since completion of primary course – are exempt from the pre-movement test requirement
- pregnant cows and heifers can be exempted from pre-movement testing if they have had a full vaccination course of Bultavo-3 prior to the start of this gestation
- stags, adult male camelids and pregnant deer and pregnant camelids will require pre-movement testing and are advised to consider vaccination in consultation with their private veterinary surgeon
What to report and current rules
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. It affects cattle, sheep, and goats among other ruminants. 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 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.
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.