[REVISION HISTORY]

UK and Ireland Bluetongue virus outbreak 2026

Updated 18 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-13 19:51 UTC → 2026-09-22 10:20 UTC · added ~~removed~~

By ~~early~~ 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 has intensified, with~~ Kingdom, the ~~Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) reporting over 2,000 potential cases under investigation. As of September 6, 910 cases have~~ virus has been confirmed ~~across~~ in Ireland. The Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the ~~UK,~~ Marine (DAFM) has reported infections across multiple counties, including ~~791~~ Wexford, Wicklow, Kildare, Laois, Louth, Monaghan, Cork, and Tipperary. Notably, Ireland recorded its first BTV-3 detection in ~~England. Devon has emerged as one~~ an ovine animal following the death of a ram in County Wexford. In Great Britain, the ~~most heavily affected regions, accounting for 334 confirmed cases. The geographic footprint~~ outbreak continues to ~~expand. In Wales, the first case of the 2026/27 season was~~ intensify. While earlier reports in September indicated over 900 confirmed cases, recent data shows a significant increase in the ~~Vale~~ scale of ~~Glamorgan. In Northumberland,~~ the ~~first detection since 2023 was identified near Allendale. Transmission remains driven by biting midges, which have thrived due to recent heatwaves~~ crisis, with over 2,400 potential cases remaining under investigation. Confirmed cases are distributed across England, Wales, and ~~hot, dry weather.~~ Scotland. The virus ~~affects~~ continues to affect various ruminants, ~~including sheep,~~ such as cattle, sheep, goats, ~~alpacas,~~ and deer, ~~causing symptoms such as fever, swelling, lesions, lethargy, and lameness.~~ primarily through transmission by Culicoides biting midges. While the disease ~~can be fatal to~~ causes serious illness, mortality, and production losses in livestock, ~~authorities have clarified that it does not pose a risk to human health or food safety. The outbreak has placed significant financial~~ and operational pressure on farmers. In areas like Cumbria, demand for vaccinations has outpaced supply. In response, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has expedited the import of BTV-3 vaccines. By September 12, concerns have grown that the virus may become a permanent fixture in Scotland. Following the transition of the south-west Scotland Temporary Control Zone to a Restricted Zone, twenty premises have been confirmed as infected. Agriculture minister Jim Fairlie stated impact international live-animal trade through movement restrictions, authorities maintain that ~~the disease is “not expected to disappear soon”~~ meat and ~~advised the industry to prepare~~ dairy products remain safe for ~~a long-term threat. While officials believe windborne midges are the likely source of transmission,~~ consumption and the ~~Scottish Government has not yet committed~~ virus poses no risk to ~~a fully funded national vaccination programme or specific financial support for farmers facing losses.~~ human health.

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