Bluetongue: news, information and guidance for livestock keepers
How to spot, report and prevent the spread of bluetongue, and information on current cases and movement restrictions.
Important notice: bluetongue laboratory service over the Christmas period
Allow extra time for APHA to process your licence application over the Christmas period.
Pre-movement testing
Pre-movement samples taken from:
- 16 to 18 December will be valid until 30 December
- 19 to 22 December will be valid until 2 January
- 23 to 29 December will be valid until 6 January
- 30 December to 1 January will be valid until 8 January
- 2 January 2025 onwards will be valid for 7 days after sampling
To make sure you receive your licence to move animals between:
- 25 and 27 December, the laboratory must receive your samples before 9am on 23 December
- 28 and 31 December, the laboratory must receive your samples before 9am on 24 December
- 1 and 3 January, the laboratory must receive your samples before 9am on 30 December
APHA will issue your licence on the next working day after they receive the test results. Consider using a delivery service that can guarantee the delivery time.
Samples that arrive:
- after 9am will not be tested that day
- after 9am on 24 December will be tested on 30 December and 2 January
Samples are stored in temperature-controlled facilities until they are tested.
Post-movement testing
For movements between 14 and 27 December that require post-movement testing, the period for collecting samples has been extended. You can collect samples from animals 6 to 17 days after the move.
Keepers and veterinarians should be aware that reporting results may take longer than usual, which can delay the removal of restrictions for tested stock.
Latest situation
Find details of all bluetongue disease control zones in England.
Check if you’re in a zone on the bluetongue disease control zone map.
The total number of cases in Great Britain for the 2024 to 2025 vector season is 185 (183 in England and 2 (high risk moves) in Wales).
The location of all premises in GB where one or more animals have tested positive by PCR to bluetongue serotype 3 is available on the bluetongue case map. By clicking on the map layer icon you can also see the restricted zone and infected area as well as density maps for cattle and sheep numbers.
15 December 2024
Following the identification of cases in cattle close to the boundary of the restricted zone in Hampshire, Berkshire and in the East Riding of Yorkshire, and in accordance with our policy of seeking to contain and slow the spread of disease by preventing the long distance moves of high-risk infected animals, the restricted zone was further extended on 15 December to include additional areas of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and North Yorkshire and also Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and Dorset (part).
The zone now covers all or part of the ceremonial counties and unitary authorities of Bedfordshire, Berkshire (part), Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, City of York, Dorset (part), East Riding of Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Greater London, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Leicestershire (part), Lincolnshire, Norfolk, North Yorkshire (additional part) Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire (additional part), Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire (part), West Sussex and Wiltshire (part).
Check if you’re in a zone on the bluetongue disease control zone map.
Two new cases were confirmed on 15 December.
- 6 bovines were confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Hampshire following surveillance testing
- 2 bovines were confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Hampshire following surveillance testing
13 December 2024
Three new cases were confirmed on 13 December.
- 11 bovines were confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Suffolk following a non-negative private submission
- one bovine was confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Berkshire following surveillance testing
- one bovine confirmed positive in Somerset following a positive post-movement test
12 December 2024
One new case was confirmed on 12 December.
One bovine was confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Hampshire following surveillance testing.
11 December 2024
Two new cases were confirmed on 11 December.
- 2 bovines were confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Yorkshire following surveillance testing
- 5 bovines were confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Oxfordshire following surveillance testing
8 December 2024
One new case was confirmed on 8 December.
One bovine was confirmed positive in Somerset after being traced from a premises in East Sussex, having moved before the restricted zone was put in place. The premises is under restriction and an epidemiological assessment undertaken to ensure there has been no local transmission.
Cases not in bluetongue zones
16 cases of BTV-3 have been detected in premises which are now outside the current restricted zone. The premises are in Bath, North East Somerset (BANES), Somerset, Shropshire, Cheshire, Cumbria, Anglesey, Gwynedd, North Yorkshire and Cornwall.
The animals were moved to these premises from areas where disease is now known to be circulating, but the moves took place before bluetongue restrictions were put in place. These premises were initially placed under restriction and some of the infected animals have been culled to prevent risk of local transmission. Further testing is being undertaken to ensure there has been no local transmission. Several of the premises have completed this testing and restrictions have been lifted.
BTV-3 has spread quickly across Europe and there remains a risk when importing animals from countries close to where disease is present. In addition to cases where disease was acquired in England, the UK CVO has confirmed BTV-3 in one animal imported into Devon at the end of August 2024. The other animals in the consignment were all negative. This animal was culled and follow up testing has confirmed there was no local transmission and restrictions have been lifted. This animal was detected as part of our routine post import process.
Spot and report it
If you suspect bluetongue, you must report it immediately by calling 03000 200 301 in England, 03003 038 268 in Wales or your local Field Services Office in Scotland.
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. This means if you do not report it, you’re breaking the law.
Moving animals and animal products
Stop it spreading: vaccines and testing
Defra’s Secretary of State has permitted the use of 3 unauthorised bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines, subject to licence.
Cases and control zones
Check if you’re in a temporary control zone or restriction zone on the bluetongue zone map.
Follow livestock identification and movement rules
Contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) if you keep camelids (such as llamas or alpacas) or you’re unsure about the rules.
Importing animals and animal products
Webinars, leaflets, videos and posters
Updates to this page
Published 7 May 2024Last updated 16 December 2024 + show all updates
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The processing of movement licence applications and tests will take longer over the Christmas period, so you will need to allow extra time. Information on cut-off times and turnaround times has been added to the page.
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The total number of cases in Great Britain for the 2024 to 2025 vector season is 185 (183 in England and 2 (high risk moves) in Wales).
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Following the identification of cases in cattle close to the boundary of the restricted zone in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, and in accordance with our policy of seeking to contain and slow the spread of disease, the restricted zone was extended on 7 December to include additional areas of Oxfordshire. The zone now covers part or all of the counties and unitary authorities of Bedfordshire, Berkshire (additional part), Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, City of York, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Greater London, Hampshire (additional part), Hertfordshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Leicestershire (part), Lincolnshire, Norfolk, North Yorkshire (part) Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire (additional part), Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire (part), West Sussex and Wiltshire (part). Three new cases were confirmed on 7 December. One bovine was confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Norfolk following a non-negative private submission. Two bovines were confirmed positive in North Yorkshire after being traced from a premises in Leicestershire, having moved before the restricted zone was put in place. The premises is under restriction and other animals on the premises will be tested to ensure there has been no local transmission. One bovine was confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Berkshire following surveillance testing.
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Updated the latest situation after one new case was confirmed on 5 December.
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Updated the latest situation after new cases were confirmed on 30 November and 1 December.
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Updated the latest situation after one new case was confirmed on 23 November.
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Updated the latest situation after one new case was confirmed on 22 November.
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Updated the latest situation after one new case was confirmed on 21 November.
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Updated the latest situation after one new case was confirmed on 18 November.
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Added latest situation information after one new case was confirmed on 17 November.
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Following the identification of a new case in cattle in Hampshire just outside the restricted zone and in accordance with our policy of seeking to contain and slow the spread of disease, the restricted zone was extended on 16 November to include additional areas of Hampshire and part of Wiltshire. The zone now covers part or all of the counties and unitary authorities of Bedfordshire, Berkshire (part), Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, City of York, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Greater London, Hampshire (part), Hertfordshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Leicestershire (part), Lincolnshire, Norfolk, North Yorkshire (part) Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire (part), Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire (part), West Sussex and Wiltshire (part). Two new cases were confirmed on 16 November: 1 bovine confirmed positive in Hampshire outside the restricted zone following a report of suspect clinical signs, 1 bovine confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Essex following a report of suspect clinical signs.
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Added latest situation information: one new case was confirmed on 14 November. 2 cattle confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Suffolk following a report of suspect clinical signs.
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Updated details of the latest situation for 9, 10 and 13 November. The total number of cases in Great Britain for the 2024 to 2025 vector season is now 160 (including 158 in England).
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Amendment to 8 November 2024 update: City of York added to the list of areas included in the restricted zone.
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Following the identification of a case in cattle on the East Riding of Yorkshire and North Yorkshire border, a case in cattle close to the border between Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire and a case on the Isle of Wight, in accordance with our policy of seeking to contain and slow the spread of disease, the restricted zone was extended on 8 November 2024.
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1 bovine in North Yorkshire confirmed positive following surveillance testing.
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One new case was confirmed on 3 November: 2 cattle in North Yorkshire confirmed positive after being traced from a premises in Norfolk, having moved before the restricted zone was put in place. The animals have been placed under restriction. One new case was confirmed on 2 November: 1 heifer in North Yorkshire confirmed positive after being traced from a premises in Norfolk, having moved before the restricted zone was put in place. The premises has been placed under restriction pending further epidemiological investigations.
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Following the identification of a case in cattle on the Leicestershire and Warwickshire border and in accordance with our policy of seeking to contain and slow the spread of disease, the restricted zone was extended on 1 November 2024 to include part of Warwickshire. The zone now covers Bedfordshire, Berkshire (part), Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Greater London, Hampshire (part), Hertfordshire, Kent, Leicestershire (part), Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire (part) and West Sussex.
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One new case confirmed: 1 bovine on a premises in Leicestershire confirmed positive following surveillance testing.
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Added latest situation information: one new case was confirmed on 29 October - 3 cattle on the same premises confirmed positive following surveillance testing
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Added latest situation information: one new case was confirmed on 27 October - 2 cattle in Suffolk were confirmed positive following a report of suspect clinical signs.
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Following the identification of a new case in cattle on the Buckinghamshire/Northamptonshire border and in accordance with our policy of seeking to contain and slow the spread of disease, the restricted zone and infected area were extended to include the remainder of Northamptonshire.
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One new case was confirmed on 20 October (a sheep in Suffolk), and another on 21 October (a sheep in North Yorkshire).
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Two new cases were confirmed on 18 October: - 1 bovine case detected through surveillance testing in Berkshire - 1 sheep in North Yorkshire detected after being traced from a premises in Suffolk, having moved before the restricted zone was put in place
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Updated to reflect 1 new case on 16 October: 2 positive cattle in the restricted zone detected following pre-movement testing.
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Updated the latest situation. 1 positive sheep detected following the reporting of clinical signs at a premises in Suffolk.
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Updated the latest situation. One new case was confirmed on 14 October: 2 positive sheep detected following the reporting of clinical signs at a premises in Norfolk.
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Updated the latest situation
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One new case has been confirmed on 12 October. 1 positive bovine detected through the reporting of clinical signs in Suffolk.
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Added details of new cases in Essex, North Yorkshire, Hertfordshire, and along the Hertfordshire/Buckinghamshire border.
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A further 4 cases have been confirmed - 2 premises in Essex (1 sheep, 1 bull), plus 1 in Norfolk (1 sheep) and 1 in Suffolk (1 sheep).
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A further 4 cases have been confirmed - 1 ovine detected through the reporting of clinical symptoms in Norfolk and 1 bovine detected through the reporting of clinical symptoms in Suffolk. Two sheep in Yorkshire and one bovine in Cornwall detected after being traced from different premises in Suffolk, having moved before the restricted zone covering Suffolk was put in place. These animals will be humanely culled to prevent potential spread and testing of other animals on premises repeated at regular intervals.
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Following the identification through surveillance of two cases in cattle along the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire border and in accordance with our policy of seeking to contain and slow the spread of disease, the restricted zone and infected area were extended on 04 October. The zone now covers East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, part of Leicestershire, part of Hertfordshire,
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Following report of suspicion of disease at a premises in Suffolk a case of BTV-3 has been confirmed in sheep. Following surveillance at a premises in West Sussex, one additional case of BTV-3 has been confirmed in cattle. Three further cases were confirmed in animals that moved out of what is now the restricted zone, prior to restrictions being put in force.
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Added new information to the 'latest situation' update.
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30 September 2024: Following the identification of a case with evidence of recent infection close to the edge of the restricted zone in West Sussex and in accordance with our policy of seeking to contain and slow the spread of disease, the restricted zone and infected area have been extended. The zone now covers East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Greater London, Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex and part of Hampshire.
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Updated the latest situation as with new information
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Following reports of suspicion of clinical disease in cattle at premises in Norfolk one new case of BTV-3 has been confirmed. There have been no changes in the zones.
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This page has been updated to link to guidance for restrictions on germinal product from bluetongue-susceptible animals.
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Updated the 'Latest situation' with most recent updates.
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21 September 2024 Following the identification of cases close to the edge of the bluetongue restricted zone and in accordance with our policy of seeking to contain and slow the spread of disease, the two restricted zones have now been merged and extended. The new restricted zone now also covers all Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, all Greater London, Surrey and West Sussex. Following reports of suspicion of clinical disease in sheep at premises in East Sussex and East Yorkshire the UK CVO has confirmed two new cases of BTV-3. One further case was identified through a tracing of animals from an affected farm to a premises in Cambridgeshire and an additional case was identified through surveillance in Essex. This brings the total number of cases to 95. 20 September 2024 Following reports of suspicion of clinical disease in sheep and cattle at premises in Kent, East Sussex, Essex and Norfolk the UK CVO has confirmed six new cases of BTV-3. Three further cases were identified through surveillance testing in Essex. 19 September 2024 Following suspicion of clinical disease in sheep and cattle at premises in Kent, East Sussex, Essex and Norfolk the UK CVO has confirmed six new cases of BTV-3. Three further cases were identified through surveillance testing in Essex. This brings the total number of cases to 91.
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Updated the latest situation section.
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Following the identification of further cases of BTV-3 in Kent and East Sussex, one of the two restricted zones now covers Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex. Kent, East Sussex and parts of Greater London. Following confirmation of BTV-3 on a number of premises in East Riding of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, there is now evidence that there is some local transmission of bluetongue virus. The existing temporary control zone (TCZ) has been revoked and replaced by a larger restricted zone and infected area covering East Riding of Yorkshire and part of Lincolnshire.
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Following suspicion of clinical disease in cattle and sheep at premises in Suffolk and Kent, the UK CVO has confirmed five new cases of BTV-3. One further cases was identified through surveillance testing in the East Riding of Yorkshire in the current temporary control zone.
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15 September 2024: Three new cases of BTV-3 have been confirmed in cattle in Essex. All 3 cases are in the restricted zone and were identified through surveillance testing in in the zone. This brings the total number of premises affected to 56. 14 September 2024: Two new cases of BTV-3 have been confirmed in cattle in Essex. Both cases are in the Restricted Zone and were identified through surveillance testing in in the zone. One further case was identified through surveillance testing in the East Riding of Yorkshire in the current temporary control zone.
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Three new cases of BTV-3 have been confirmed. The Restricted Zone covering Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex has been extended to include part of Greater London East and part of Kent.
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Following a report of clinical suspicion in sheep near Faversham in Kent, BTV-3 has been confirmed. In accordance with the disease control framework, a 20km temporary control zone has been declared. Three further cases were identified through surveillance testing in Essex in the current Restricted Zone and one further case was identified through surveillance testing in East Yorkshire in the current Temporary Control Zone. No changes in these zones are necessary.
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Following surveillance within the temporary control zone in North East Lincolnshire, 2 further cases of BTV-3 were detected. In accordance with the disease control framework, the temporary control zone has been further extended. One further case was identified through surveillance testing in Essex in the current Restricted Zone. No changes in this zone are necessary.
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Following surveillance within the East Riding of Yorkshire and North East Lincolnshire zone, a further case of BTV-3 has been confirmed. The temporary control zone (TCZ) and temporary control area has been extended. Movement restrictions apply to cattle, sheep and other ruminants and camelids and their germinal products.
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Updated the latest situation.
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Updated the latest situation.
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Added updates for 5 and 6 September to the Latest situation.
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Updated the latest situation, bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) has been confirmed at a premises near Withersea, East Riding of Yorkshire. A 20km temporary control zone has been declared.
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Added 3 September update to Latest Situation.
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Added link to BTV-3 vaccine permits.
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Updated the latest situation and confirmed cases sections.
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Updated the latest situation section.
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Following reports of clinical suspicion in sheep and cattle on 5 new premises in Norfolk and Suffolk, bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) has been confirmed at these premises. The total number of cases of bluetongue virus BTV- 3 stands at 10 infected premises. Disease has been confirmed in 27 animals. Movement restrictions apply to all ruminants and camelids moving out of the zone and to the movement of their germinal products within the zone. Farmers are urged to only move animals within the zone where this is absolutely necessary. The restricted zone remains in place with no changes to the boundaries.
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Following reports of clinical suspicion in sheep and cattle on 2 new premises in Norfolk and Suffolk, bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) has been confirmed at these premises. There is now evidence that there is some local transmission of bluetongue virus and in accordance with the bluetongue disease control framework, the existing temporary control zone (TCZ) has been revoked and replaced by a larger a bluetongue restricted zone covering Norfolk and Suffolk. The total number of cases of Bluetongue virus BTV- 3 stands at 5 infected premises. Movement restrictions apply to all ruminants and camelids moving out of the zone and to movement of their germinal products within the zone. Farmers are urged to only move animals within the zone where this is absolutely necessary.
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Added information of further cases of bluetounge near Norwich, Norfolk and Lowestoft, East Suffolk
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Added new bluetongue case near Haddiscoe, South Norfolk, Norfolk (BTD 2024/92) - TCZ
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There has been a rapid increase in bluetongue cases in the Netherlands and Germany, as well as new cases in France, Luxemburg and Denmark, which means that Great Britain is at greater risk of disease in susceptible animals. Updated the 'latest situation' information, added information on risk levels and outbreak assessments, and added information on importing animals.
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Added link to risk assessment of airborne introduction of bluetongue virus.
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Added link to bluetongue guidance for shows and events in England in 2024 .
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First published.