Nearly 20 counties now placed in a bluetongue restriction zone

Nine cases of the virus have been detected outside the zone in Cheshire, Shropshire, Somerset, Cumbria, Anglesey, Gwynedd, Cornwall and North Yorkshire

11 October 2024 • 1 min read

Bluetongue has continued to be detected in the UK with more than 25 counties returning a positive case.

As of October 11, APHA said there have been 143 confirmed reports of the virus on farms in England and Wales since August 26 in cattle and sheep.

The Government has placed 18 counties into a restricted zone which covers Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, East Yorkshire, Essex, Greater London, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, Surrey and Sussex.

READ NOW: Second case of bluetongue identified in Wales

Somerset, Shropshire, Cheshire, Cumbria, Anglesey, Gwynedd, and North Yorkshire and Cornwall have also returned positive cases of the virus spread by midges.

Latest information published by the Government revealed that 3 cases of bluetongue had been identified on Thursday (October 10) in Norfolk, Hertfordshire and North Yorkshire.

APHA said all the animals have been humanely culled to prevent 'potential spread' of the virus.

READ NOW: Defra Secretary visits farmers in restricted bluetongue zone

Efra Committee demands answers as potential bluetongue cases surpass 2,000

Chair Alistair Carmichael questions preparedness in what he has described as a 'heartbreaking summer' for farmers

Jane Thynne

09 September 2026 • 2 min read

Animal Health

Bluetongue latest: Confirmed cases top 1000 | New AHDB map shows suspected and confirmed cases

Everything livestock farmers need to know about the current status of bluetongue disease in the UK, how to spot signs and symptoms, and what actions they can take to prevent it

Farmers Guardian

08 September 2026 • 19 min read

Animal Health

Scotland's Moredun Institute under pressure to expand bluetongue testing capacity

Scotland's deputy chief vet, Jesus Gallego Garnica, said he was hopeful it would be up and running 'as soon as possible', but that it was out of Scottish Government's hands