Unprecedented bluetongue outbreak hits British livestock

Severe infections of the midge-borne virus can cause a blue tongue, abortions, stillbirths and death in livestock British livestock farmers are confronting an unprecedented spread of bluetongue, a virus carried by biting midges. Cases this season have exceeded the previous three seasons combined, according to UK government data updated on Saturday.The UK has recorded 2,579 cases so far in the 2026-27 bluetongue season, which runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30 of next year, according to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). The government defines a case as a property where bluetongue has been confirmed.In just three months, this season’s bluetongue outbreak has recorded more than four times as many cases as the previous three seasons combined.The government recorded 348 cases in Great Britain in the 2025-26 season, 163 in 2024-25 and 126 in 2023-24.The virus affects sheep, cattle and other ruminants. Common signs include fever, lameness, mouth sores and swelling of the head or tongue. Severe infections can cause a blue tongue, breathing problems, abortions, fetal deformities, stillbirths and death. The vir...