UK government releases new bluetongue heat map amid rising cases and vaccination calls

Defra unveils updated bluetongue map showing nearly 1,000 confirmed cases across Britain, prompting urgent vaccination discussions among farmers as the virus spreads with recent hot weather conditions.

Defra has published a new heat map of suspected and confirmed bluetongue cases as ministers seek to give livestock keepers a clearer picture of risk across Britain. Government figures updated on 8 September show 973 confirmed BTV-3 cases in the 2026-27 season, with the heaviest concentration in England and significant numbers in Wales and Scotland, while the wider map also highlights many suspected cases in the South West, North West and Wales.
The move comes as the UK Chief Veterinary Officer has urged farmers to remain alert and discuss vaccination with their vets. Defra says three vaccines are authorised for BTV-3 and that hot, humid weather has helped the biting midges that spread the virus, which has hit sheep hardest and also affected cattle enterprises.

Testing is being carried out at the Pirbright Institute and APHA’s Weybridge laboratory, with Pirbright saying it has completed about 8,500 tests and is sharing some of the workload to speed results. The Government has also said a revised reporting process will start on 11 September to make confirmation quicker.

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has questioned whether agencies were adequately prepared, while the National Sheep Association has warned that poor advice on rams could be costly later in the season.