Great Britain has recorded 264 bluetongue cases in the 2025 season as of 20 December, with most linked to BTV‑3. Officials say onward spread by midges is now negligible as temperatures drop, though the overall risk of fresh incursion from all routes remains medium. Farmers are urged to stay alert and report signs promptly.

England accounts for 243 cases while Wales has 21; Scotland has none this season. Defra’s case map details every confirmed premise and is updated alongside daily surveillance notes, giving producers a practical way to track proximity risk. Northern Ireland has confirmed the presence of BTV‑3 and is managing movement through a temporary control zone.

Between 16 and 19 December, authorities confirmed 15 new BTV‑3 cases across Kent, Cornwall, Cheshire, Powys, Derbyshire, Wrexham, Somerset, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, Greater Manchester and Cumbria. Individual reports included a newborn calf in Cumbria with neurological signs and a bovine in Greater Manchester with fever and facial swelling, illustrating the varied clinical picture in cattle.

Movement rules remain streamlined but firm. The whole of England is under a restricted zone; routine moves within England do not need a bluetongue licence, but freezing semen, ova or embryos requires a specific licence and testing. Wales moved to a country‑wide restricted zone on 10 November, ending local premises restrictions and allowing free movement between Wales and England, while tests still apply for donor animals supplying germinal products.

In Northern Ireland, DAERA has relaxed certain movement restrictions within the temporary control zone under a general licence, with extra conditions for high‑risk categories such as breeding females and males. The Chief Veterinary Officer confirmed BTV‑3 on additional samples on 19 December, and guidance now sets out when specific licences and testing apply.

Seasonality is working in producers’ favour. Defra notes that reduced temperatures have pushed vector activity to negligible levels across much of England, though transmission can still occur from already infected midges or from infected germinal products. The risk of airborne incursion is now classed as negligible.

Climate context matters. Research led by The Pirbright Institute has shown the UK midge season has lengthened over recent decades, a trend consistent with warmer summers and milder autumns. The Met Office reports November 2025 was warmer and wetter than average and confirms summer 2025 as the warmest on record-conditions that, in warmer months, can extend vector activity windows.

Regional experience underscores the need for preparedness. The Netherlands saw thousands of BTV‑3 outbreaks in 2023–24, and BTV‑12 emerged there in 2024, while France expanded vaccination to contain fresh BTV‑3 spread. These developments informed UK surveillance and vaccine planning through 2025.

Vaccination is now part of the toolkit. Three BTV‑3 vaccines-Bluevac‑3, Bultavo 3 and SYVAZUL BTV 3-are authorised for use in Great Britain and Northern Ireland under defined conditions. Trade restrictions still apply to vaccinated animals, so producers should plan herd health with their vet and check the correct licence and reporting steps before use.

Biosecurity remains the fastest win. Government advice is to house animals at dawn and dusk to reduce midge bites, maintain strict hygiene, source livestock responsibly, ensure animals are traceable, and follow movement rules for animals and germinal products. These measures are low‑cost, immediate steps that cut risk now and strengthen resilience for the 2026 vector season.