Great Britain has confirmed 154 bluetongue cases since July 2025, with 141 in England and 13 in Wales; none have been reported in Scotland. Officials say the risk of onward spread by biting midges is now very low as temperatures drop, and Wales will move to a national Restricted Zone on 10 November to simplify winter controls.

This weekend’s update underlines the on‑farm reality. Two newborn dairy calves in Staffordshire, a dairy cow in Leicestershire, a pre‑weaned suckler calf in Kent and a suckler cow in Cornwall all tested positive on 1 November. Routine surveillance also detected mixed BTV‑3 and BTV‑8 positives in cattle in Cornwall.

Seasonal science is working in farmers’ favour. Bluetongue virus needs about 12°C on average inside the midge for replication, and Culicoides flight activity falls markedly as daily maxima approach 10°C; the UK declares a seasonally vector‑low period in winter for this reason. With cooler conditions now setting in, onward transmission risk by midges is very low.

Wales’s shift to an all‑nation Restricted Zone from 10 November will revoke the temporary control zone, end BTV‑3 culling, and permit free movement with England, while tighter rules will continue to apply for germinal products and for moves to Scotland. Ministers continue to recommend vaccination ahead of the next active season.

England has been under a country‑wide Restricted Zone since 1 July, allowing movements within England without specific bluetongue licences or pre‑movement tests. Freezing semen, ova or embryos still requires a licence and testing, and keepers should check cross‑border rules before moving animals to Scotland or Wales.

Vaccination is available and should be planned with vets now. Three BTV‑3 vaccines-Bluevac‑3, Bultavo 3 and SYVAZUL BTV 3-are authorised for use in Great Britain, with recording requirements in place. Trade restrictions still apply to vaccinated animals, and farms should wait seven days post‑vaccination before any pre‑movement testing.

Everyday biosecurity still matters in cold weather. Defra advises housing stock at dawn and dusk in buildings that keep out midges, maintaining hygiene to reduce breeding sites, sourcing animals responsibly and planning vaccination. Because bluetongue is a notifiable disease, farmers must report suspected cases to APHA immediately.

Europe’s recent experience shows why early action counts. The Netherlands saw thousands of BTV‑3 outbreaks in 2023, and peer‑reviewed analysis links the surge to tens of thousands of excess sheep deaths-evidence that timely vaccination and surveillance save flocks when temperatures favour midges.

France’s 2024 response points to the scale needed before peak midge activity returns, with authorities expanding BTV‑3 vaccine supply into the millions of doses. Forward‑ordering and vet‑led scheduling can help British farms avoid a scramble next spring.

This week’s actions are straightforward: confirm your status on the Defra case and zone maps, book vaccine discussions with your vet, and check licences and testing for any germinal products you intend to use. Keep movement records tight and, if in doubt, call APHA-especially if you spot clinical signs.