Two cattle in Herefordshire have tested positive for bluetongue (BTV-3) following a non-negative pre-movement test.
The confirmation was received on Friday (July 11), on the same day a sheep in Oxfordshire was also confirmed with BTV-3, following a report of suspicious clinical signs.
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the sheep had hot and painful feet, was reluctant to move, and was generally unwell.
Another new case of BTV-3 was confirmed in England on Saturday (July 12) when one sheep in Buckinghamshire was confirmed positive following reports of clinical signs such as:
- Pyrexia;
- Salivation;
- Nasal discharge;
- Swollen muzzle, lips and tongue with congestion in oral mucosa.
Defra reported the sheep as being lethargic and unresponsive to treatment.
These animals represent first cases of BTV-3 in Great Britain during the 2025/2026 vector season.
The restricted zone for bluetongue was extended to cover all of England on July 1, meaning animals can now be moved anywhere in the country without a specific bluetongue licence or pre-movement testing.
Bluetongue symptoms
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease caused by viral infection, which is mainly spread by biting midges.
Bluetongue virus effects sheep, cattle, other ruminants such as deer and goats, and camelids such as llamas and alpacas.
Some symptoms include:
- Ulcers and sores in mouth and nose;
- Discharge from eyes or nose, and drooling from mouth;
- Fever.
Adult cattle may be infectious for several weeks, while showing little or no sign of disease.
Biting midges that can spread bluetongue are found throughout Great Britain. They can also be blown long distances on the wind.
The midges can become infected with bluetongue virus when they bite an infected animal. The virus spreads when the infected biting midge then bites an uninfected susceptible animal.
Factors such as the time of year, weather conditions, and distances between farms can affect how quickly and how far the biting midges can spread bluetongue virus.
