Bluetongue serotype 3 outbreak worsens in south-west England, prompting urgent vaccination advisory

Rising cases of bluetongue serotype 3 are causing significant losses across south-west England, leading to an emergency webinar for farmers and vets on managing the outbreak and vaccine strategies amid rapid disease spread.

Rising cases of bluetongue serotype 3 are intensifying losses across south-west England, prompting the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board to convene an urgent webinar for farmers and vets on Wednesday, August 5.

According to AHDB, the session will set out the latest position on BTV-3, the clinical signs to watch for, reporting procedures and vaccine advice. It comes as Torch Farm Vets said it saw nearly 130 holdings with clinical cases in July alone, with more appearing in the past week. The government has said the first cases of the 2026-27 outbreak season were confirmed on July 10.

Veterinary surgeons in the region say the speed of spread has taken many producers by surprise. Jess Partlett of Torch Farm Vets said the disease is moving “rapidly worse”, with sheep losses mounting and cattle also affected. Farmers in the area have said the financial and emotional strain is severe, and some now believe they should have vaccinated earlier.

AHDB says vaccination remains the main protection and that farmers should speak to their vet without delay. The board has also highlighted that vaccines are available for BTV-3, but they do not protect against BTV-8, underlining the need to match the product to the strain in circulation. The government continues to urge prompt reporting of suspected cases.