West Wales bluetongue case sparks vaccine reminder

Farmers are being urged to vaccinate livestock against bluetongue following a series of new cases across England and Wales, including the first confirmed case in west Wales.

Bluetongue is a viral disease spread by biting midges that affects ruminants such as cattle, sheep, goats and deer, as well as camelids. There is no treatment for infected animals and the disease can be fatal.

See also: Bluetongue virus: What to look out for and how to manage it

The latest confirmed cases include a BTV-8 infection in a three-week-old calf in England, which died after showing neurological signs, alongside three new BTV-3 cases in cattle in Shropshire, South Yorkshire and Ceredigion.

The Welsh case, confirmed on 28 May, involved a cow in Ceredigion that tested positive after giving birth to a dummy calf. The calf also tested positive for the virus.

Since the start of the current bluetongue season on 1 July 2025, there have been 343 confirmed cases across Great Britain.

Of these, 321 have been recorded in England and 24 in Wales. No cases have been reported in Scotland.

Significant development

ProStock vet Rhys Beynon-Thomas said the Ceredigion case marked a significant development in the disease’s spread.

“This is the first case in west Wales and signals that the infected midge population has moved considerably from where it was last summer,” he told Farmers Weekly.

“There has been variable vaccine penetration across the country, and I urge farmers to ensure they take up the vaccine.

“We have a long summer ahead of us and it takes six weeks from starting the initial vaccination course for full protection.”

Mr Beynon-Thomas added that sufficient vaccine supplies were available and advised farmers needing boosters, or those yet to begin vaccinating, to contact their vet as soon as possible.

More cases likely

Wales’ chief veterinary officer Richard Irvine warned that more cases are likely.

“We are now in the active transmission period for bluetongue, so can expect to see more cases of BTV-3 in Wales,” he said.

“As livestock movement restrictions for BTV-3 were removed under the all-Wales restricted zone in November 2025, safe sourcing of livestock is crucial. Keepers are advised to ask about bluetongue, so you don’t buy more than you bargained for.”

Stay vigilant

Farmers have been advised to stay vigilant for the signs of bluetongue and report any suspected cases promptly to the Animal and Plant Health Authority.

Further information is available on the Ruminant Health & Welfare Bluetongue virus hub and via the AHDB vaccine decision maker tool to help farmers determine the best time to vaccinate breeding ewes and cattle against the disease.