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18 clusters · 36 sources · 50 days · First seen · Last updated

UK and Ireland Bluetongue virus outbreak 2026

Overview

By late September 2026, the Bluetongue virus (BTV-3) outbreak has expanded significantly across the British Isles. In addition to the ongoing situation in the United Kingdom, the virus has been confirmed in Ireland. The Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has reported infections across multiple counties, including Wexford, Wicklow, Kildare, Laois, Louth, Monaghan, Cork, and Tipperary. Notably, Ireland recorded its first BTV-3 detection in an ovine animal following the death of a ram in County Wexford.

In Great Britain, the outbreak continues to intensify. While earlier reports in September indicated over 900 confirmed cases, recent data shows a significant increase in the scale of the crisis, with over 2,400 potential cases remaining under investigation. Confirmed cases are distributed across England, Wales, and Scotland.

The virus continues to affect various ruminants, such as cattle, sheep, goats, and deer, primarily through transmission by Culicoides biting midges. While the disease causes serious illness, mortality, and production losses in livestock, and may impact international live-animal trade through movement restrictions, authorities maintain that meat and dairy products remain safe for consumption and the virus poses no risk to human health.

Entities

Animal and Plant Health Agency · Wales · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Scottish Government · United Kingdom

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. 2 days ago

    [HEALTH] 3 sources
    Bluetongue virus spreads through livestock in Ireland and Great Britain

    Bluetongue virus (BTV-3) is spreading through livestock and deer in Ireland and Great Britain, causing significant animal illness and potential trade restrictions, though it poses no risk to humans.

  2. 9 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Torridge councillors urged to support farmers during bluetongue outbreak

    Torridge District Councillors are urged to support local farmers facing the bluetongue virus outbreak through a proposed grant and calls for improved government testing and vaccine procurement.

  3. 11 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Bluetongue virus threatens permanent presence in Scotland

    Bluetongue virus (BTV-3) is spreading through livestock in the UK, with officials warning it may become permanent in Scotland. Vaccination and movement controls are being prioritized as cases rise.

  4. 15 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    UK dairy trade remains strong amid bluetongue disease restrictions

    Despite BTV-3 bluetongue outbreaks in the UK, the dairy trade remains strong, highlighted by high-value Holstein sales and new livestock movement regulations in Scotland.

  5. 17 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Bluetongue virus outbreak pressures UK livestock farmers

    A growing bluetongue virus outbreak in the UK is causing financial strain for livestock farmers, prompting calls for a dedicated taskforce and increased vaccine supplies to manage the rising case numbers.

  6. 20 days ago

    [HEALTH] 4 sources
    Bluetongue virus confirmed in Northumberland livestock

    A confirmed case of the midge-borne bluetongue virus has been detected in Northumberland, with over 2,000 potential cases under investigation across the UK.

  7. 23 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Bluetongue virus cases rise across the United Kingdom

    Bluetongue virus cases are rising across the UK, including new detections in Wales. Farmers face significant financial and emotional strain as the midge-borne disease impacts livestock.

  8. 27 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    UK sheep farmers face bluetongue disease and vaccine supply risks

    Sheep farmers in the UK are navigating bluetongue disease outbreaks and vaccine supply concerns, with new movement restrictions in Scotland and a demand survey launched by the NSA to secure future vaccine stock

  9. 29 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    National Sheep Association launches survey to secure 2027 bluetongue vaccine supply

    The National Sheep Association is surveying UK farmers to forecast bluetongue vaccine demand for 2027, aiming to prevent the supply shortages experienced during the current outbreak.

  10. 30 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Livestock sectors face rising threats from bluetongue and Shamonda viruses

    Livestock sectors face dual threats as bluetongue virus spreads across Great Britain and the Shamonda virus infects cattle in several European countries.

  11. about 1 month ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Devon animal attractions remain open during bluetongue outbreak

    Devon animal attractions remain open during a bluetongue outbreak. While the virus causes significant livestock loss, it does not affect humans, and zoos are implementing vaccination precautions.

  12. about 1 month ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Devon animal attractions remain open during bluetongue outbreak

    Devon zoos and animal attractions remain open amid a bluetongue outbreak that has seen 304 cases on local farms since July 10. High-risk animals are being vaccinated to prevent spread.

  13. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    Bluetongue virus cases rise to nearly 600 in the UK

    Bluetongue virus cases have reached 593 in the UK this season, prompting a temporary control zone in Scotland and calls from farmers for increased and subsidized vaccine supplies.

  14. about 1 month ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Bluetongue virus outbreak impacts livestock in England and Wales

    A Bluetongue virus outbreak is causing high mortality in sheep and cattle across England and Wales, with the south-west region most heavily impacted by midge-transmitted infections.

  15. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 7 sources
    Bluetongue virus spreads across UK livestock

    Bluetongue virus cases are rising across the UK, with hundreds of infections confirmed in sheep and cattle. Experts urge vaccination and quarantine as the disease spreads via midges.

  16. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    Wales and England see rise in Bluetongue cases

    Welsh and English authorities are urging livestock keepers to monitor for rising Bluetongue (BTV-3) cases and prioritize vaccination and careful animal sourcing.

  17. about 2 months ago

    [HEALTH] 3 sources
    UK Bluetongue Outbreak Hits Devon Farms

    Bluetongue virus spreads in South West England, with 64 cases in Devon. Farmers face sheep deaths, councils urge coordinated response, and UK officials push for more vaccines and midge control.

  18. about 2 months ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    UK sees surge in Bluetongue (BTV-3) cases across England and Wales

    July 2026 saw 84 Bluetongue (BTV‑3) outbreaks in the UK, mainly in England and Wales, prompting veterinary officials to urge vaccination, animal checks, and rapid reporting.

Sources

ada.org.uk · agriland.co.uk · ahdb.org.uk · basc.org.uk · bringyourownbaby.com.my · bude-today.co.uk · businessnewswales.com · ca.sports.yahoo.com · carmarthenshirenewsonline.com · dailydigest.ie · digitalmarketreports.com · exmouthjournal.co.uk · farmer.pl · holsworthy-today.co.uk · islandecho.co.uk · kingsbridge-today.co.uk · lancashiretimes.co.uk · meatmanagement.com · middevonadvertiser.co.uk · nation.cymru · news.stv.tv · northernfarmer.co.uk · okehampton-today.co.uk · scottishbusinessnews.net · shropshirelive.com · southhams-today.co.uk · tavistock-today.co.uk · thebeefsite.com · thecattlesite.com · thefencepost.com · theforester.co.uk · thescottishfarmer.co.uk · tinytown.ca · uk.news.yahoo.com · voicenewspapers.co.uk · yorkshiretimes.co.uk

This summary has been updated 18 times: see revision history