UK livestock farmers on high alert as bluetongue cases multiply

Farmers in the UK are fearful that bluetongue is spreading at an alarming rate and that vaccinations are not up to protecting their livestock.

By Aug. 17, 2026, there were 456 cases of bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) across the UK in the 2026 to 2027 bluetongue season.

The majority of these, 439, were found in England, with 13 in Wales, four in Scotland and none in Northern Ireland.

During Aug. 16 2026 alone there were nine new cases of BTV-3 confirmed in England, all which were tested following reports of suspicious clinical signs.

Of these, eight cases involved sheep and one involved cattle. All cases presented with clinical signs typical of those seen in recent cases.

HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS

The current hot and humid weather being experienced each day in the UK is creating favorable conditions for biting midges, that spread bluetongue from beast to beast.

Bluetongue can affect sheep, cattle, goats, deer and camelids including llamas and alpacas, but it can hit sheep the hardest with higher fatality rates.

Symptoms of the disease include fever, lameness, swelling of the lips, tongue, head or neck, discharge from the eyes or nose, mouth ulcers and breathing difficulties.

Milk yields on infected animals can drop, they can have lower appetites, and can also abort their fetuses.

The UK’s Department of Agriculture, Defra, is encouraging farmers to vaccinate their livestock, and not to leave it too late although healthy animals can still benefit from vaccination even where the disease is already circulating.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said, “Bluetongue can have serious welfare consequences for affected animals and livestock businesses, as we are already seeing in the southwest of England and Wales.

“Vaccination is the best tool available to help protect susceptible livestock, even in the face of an outbreak, so I absolutely continue to urge farmers to speak to their vet about vaccinating their herd or flock.”

Meanwhile, the disease has also hit the dairy farm of National Farmers Union Dairy Board Chair Ian Harvey.

He said, “I know many of our dairy farmer members are increasingly concerned about the impact bluetongue is having on herds and businesses.

“This is not just a wider industry issue for me as the virus reached my own farm two weeks ago, bringing home the very real challenges and uncertainty that dairy farmers across affected areas are facing.”

BOOSTER VACCINATIONS

Harvey also noted the importance of giving cows booster vaccinations to boost their immunity, even if they had been vaccinated last year.

“This disease is disruptive, unpredictable and emotionally draining. But keep a close eye on stock, react to signs quickly and discuss the best course of action with your vet as a priority,” Harvey said. “Although many farmers will have vaccinated their cows last year, topping up now and boosting the immunity is critical. Don’t wait for the maps to indicate the proximity of the virus, act now and secure vaccine when it becomes available.

“Even farms with strong biosecurity measures remain at risk. The impact goes far beyond animal health, with milk losses, fertility issues and additional testing all creating significant financial and emotional pressure,” he added.

Other farmers have said they are concerned that the vaccine won’t work and that it could be money thrown down the drain.