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Publication - Advice and guidance

Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease

Last updated
20 December 2024 - see all updates
Directorate
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic
Farming and rural

Advice on what to do if you suspect there is an outbreak of this infectious disease.

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Overview

Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease

Bluetongue is a notifiable insect-borne viral disease that affects sheep, cattle, other ruminants such as goats, and camelids such as llamas. It cannot be spread directly between animals and relies on the midge as a vector for transmission.

It does not affect people or food safety, but outbreaks can result in prolonged animal movement and trade restrictions.

Animal keepers should be very vigilant for any signs of notifiable disease and report any suspected cases to APHA immediately. When importing animals into Scotland, animal keepers should ensure they consider the risks carefully and check the health status of the animals. Animal keepers should also consult their vet on other measures, such as protective vaccination if appropriate.

Current situation

Watch a Bluetongue webinar on youtube. This covers clinical signs, the situation in Great Britain, Scotland's perspective and cross-border movements.

Bluetongue virus (BTV) was confirmed in a non-imported animal in England in December 2023, and further confirmed BTV-3 cases in England in August to October/September 2024. Great Britain is no longer considered a BTV-free country.

As a result of this, trade in live ruminant animals from Great Britain to the EU and movements to Northern Ireland are currently suspended. See: the latest bluetongue situation in England and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Interactive Bluetongue Virus map for animal disease control zones currently in place.

Bluetongue has been reported in a number of European countries. See the current outbreak assessments and the map of restriction zones in place across Europe for more detail.

You should discuss the risks of importing stock from BTV affected countries with your vet.

Human health implications

The disease does not affect humans.

Contact

If you suspect signs of any notifiable diseases, you must immediately notify your Scotland: field service local office at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Failure to do so is an offence.

First published
29 October 2018
Last updated
20 December 2024 - show all updates

  1. Added link to Bluetongue webinar.

  2. Update to licensing section.

  3. Licensing page updated to include designated slaughterhouses section and minor text amend.

  4. Text updated to reflect latest situation and put into chaptered html pages.

  5. Clinical signs posters added as supporting documents and minor text updates.

  6. Page content updated to reflect latest situation.

  7. Leaflet removed pending update.

  8. Updated throughout with current situation.

  9. Current situation information updated.

  10. Leaflet added as supporting document.

  11. Updated with current situation.

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