“Be vigilant for signs of bluetongue and report it.” That’s the standing message from Defra and APHA as the 2025 tally reaches 194 cases across Great Britain. The latest official update, published on Monday 17 November, confirms 14 new positives recorded on 13–14 November across Bedfordshire, Cheshire, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, East Sussex, Hampshire and West Sussex.

England accounts for 181 of those cases - 175 BTV‑3 only, one BTV‑8 only and five where both serotypes were detected. Wales has 13 cases, all BTV‑3. There are no confirmed cases in Scotland, according to Defra’s count. A live case map is available to check locations of positive premises.

Recent confirmations reflect a mix of routine surveillance, private testing and clinical reports. Symptoms flagged by officials include fever, lameness and crusting around the nose, with poor fertility also noted in one Isle of Wight report earlier in the month. Alongside northern mentions, the South West and South Coast continue to feature in the daily lists.

For northern readers, the run of updates between 3 and 10 November included positives in Cumbria, Cheshire and Derbyshire, with further detections in Cornwall, Devon, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Somerset and West Sussex. Defra also recorded a non‑negative pre‑movement test linked to Derbyshire and Hampshire on 10 November, and private testing identified two cases in Staffordshire on 11 November.

With nights turning colder, the risk of onward spread by midges is now assessed as very low in the south‑east, East Anglia, the south‑west and the north‑east. Infection can still occur via midges already present or through germinal products. The overall risk of incursion from all routes remains medium, while airborne incursion is rated low.

Movement rules are simpler this season. The whole of England is one restricted zone, so keepers can move animals within England without a bluetongue licence or pre‑movement testing. Freezing semen, ova or embryos still requires a specific licence and testing, with keepers covering sampling, postage and lab costs under Defra’s declaration.

Wales introduced an all‑country restricted zone at 00:01 on 10 November. That decision ended the temporary control zone and premises‑level restrictions, and removed requirements for bluetongue vaccination or extra mitigation when moving livestock between England and Wales. Rules on germinal products remain in place: donor animals must be tested before freezing and marketing, Welsh Government guidance says.

Vaccination planning remains a live conversation on farm. Three BTV‑3 vaccines - Bluevac‑3, Bultavo 3 and SYVAZUL BTV 3 - are authorised in Great Britain, with reporting conditions set out in the relevant licence. Trade restrictions still apply to vaccinated animals, and vets advise avoiding pre‑movement testing within seven days of vaccination to prevent interference with monitoring. Speak to your vet about suitability for your herd or flock.

Basic biosecurity still pays. Defra’s guidance highlights housing animals to reduce midge exposure at dawn and dusk, sourcing stock responsibly, staying alert to clinical signs and keeping traceability records tidy so APHA can act quickly if needed. Those steps sit alongside vaccination as practical tools for the winter period.

For northern businesses planning late‑season sales, build in time for paperwork on any moves to Scotland and keep close to your auctioneer on buyer requirements. Use Defra’s case map and the zone map to check nearby positives and confirm your holding’s status, and report any suspicious signs straight away to APHA.