New UK Warning for Bluetongue Risk

A growing number of instances of bluetongue in Europe have prompted the chief veterinary officer of the United Kingdom to advocate for more awareness and ethical animal procurement.

The increasing number of bluetongue virus (BTV-3) infections in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium is confirmed by the most recent epidemic evaluation. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) reports that since May 2024, there have been more than 4,000 additional cases registered.

The viral strain has effectively overwintered in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium, and the initial instances have also been verified in France, Luxembourg, and Denmark. The amount of risk associated with a BTV-3 incursion into Great Britain is still ‘medium’ overall.

Animals going abroad from the highest-risk counties in Great Britain—Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, and East Sussex—can also get free testing. Bluetongue epidemics in Europe are becoming more frequent.