Private veterinarians will now be able to diagnose bluetongue virus in livestock by examining affected animals, removing the need for farmers to wait for laboratory confirmation before taking action. The government announced on 11 September 2026 that this change would accelerate the response to the outbreak, which continues to spread across the UK with confirmed cases affecting over 1,000 farms.
The potentially deadly virus, which infects sheep, cattle and other animals, has become a significant threat to the agriculture sector. According to official government figures, 27 new cases were recorded in England on 10 September 2026 and 33 new cases on 9 September 2026. More than half of all confirmed cases remain concentrated in Devon and Cornwall, though farming industry reports indicate 910 affected premises across Great Britain as of 7 September 2026, including 791 in England, 98 in Wales and 21 in Scotland.
Under the previous system, farmers had to submit samples to a laboratory for formal confirmation, creating delays that prevented rapid protective action. The new approach allows vets to make a clinical diagnosis based on visible signs of disease, while the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) continues to formally confirm cases through laboratory testing where needed.
How the new diagnostic system works
Private vets are now positioned to recognise bluetongue symptoms and provide immediate diagnosis, enabling farmers to implement protective measures without waiting for laboratory results. A new online reporting system has been introduced allowing vets to send confirmed cases directly to APHA more quickly, according to government announcements. The APHA held a veterinary briefing call on 10 September 2026 to introduce these additional measures and explain the revised diagnostic processes to veterinary colleagues.
UK deputy chief veterinary officer Ele Brown said:
Bluetongue is widely circulating in England and our approach needs to keep pace.She added:
Private vets are well placed to recognise signs of the diseases, and this change will mean farmers can get a diagnosis more quickly.
Why vaccination remains critical
The government has emphasised that vaccination is the most effective tool available to protect susceptible livestock from bluetongue. Deputy chief vet Brown stated:
Vaccination is the best tool available to help protect susceptible livestock, so I absolutely continue to urge farmers to speak to their vet about vaccinating their herd or flock.The current 2026 to 2027 season involves bluetongue virus type 3 (BTV-3), and according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, there have been no BTV-8 cases this season. The government has indicated that geographically targeted and specific vaccination licences for permitted BTV-3 vaccines will be published imminently.
How is the virus spreading?
Bluetongue spreads primarily through midge bites and was first confirmed in a sheep in Cornwall in September 2025. The strain was introduced into Cornwall from midges blown in wind from northern France, but scientists believe the virus likely spread rapidly after overwintering in parts of the UK. The outbreak had already reached 684 farms across England, Wales and Scotland by late August 2026, demonstrating the speed at which the disease was advancing before these new diagnostic measures were introduced.
What impact has bluetongue had on farmers?
The outbreak has inflicted severe losses on farming operations across the affected regions. Jerry Sanders-Carr, who runs Exe Valley Lamb near Exeter, reported losing 15% of his sheep to the virus.
Talking to some of the guys who've been going out picking up large numbers of dead animals every morning, some of these guys I'm sure there's going to be a lasting impact on them,he said, highlighting the psychological toll on those dealing with mass animal deaths.
Mark Walter, who farms in Milton Damerel in north Devon, expressed concern about the long-term consequences for his breeding stock. He feared that 40% of his lambs could be born stillborn or with disabilities because of bluetongue infection in pregnant ewes.
All we were doing is jabbing sheep day and night. The poor sheep, it was horrendous for them,he said, describing the intensive vaccination efforts required to protect his flock.
Tracking and monitoring the outbreak
Defra has published a new heat map allowing farmers to see where suspected and confirmed cases of bluetongue are being reported, providing transparency about the geographic spread of the disease. The disease remains notifiable, meaning suspected cases must still be reported to the authorities. Defra's live bluetongue situation page continues to update with new case totals, including daily figures, to help farmers and vets stay informed about the evolving outbreak.
What happens next
The APHA will continue to formally confirm cases through laboratory testing, particularly where another notifiable disease cannot be ruled out or where clinical signs are unclear. The government's focus remains on accelerating vaccination uptake and providing farmers with the tools and information needed to protect their livestock. As the outbreak continues into the 2026 to 2027 season, the combination of faster clinical diagnosis and expanded vaccination access is intended to slow the spread of bluetongue across the UK.
