Bluetongue Hits 498 Welsh Farms as Vets Urge Action 2026

Key Points

• Bluetongue virus strain 3 (BTV-3) infection has been diagnosed at 498 premises in Wales as of 29 October 2026.
• Powys and Carmarthenshire are the hardest-hit counties in Wales, both with 83 affected premises, while Pembrokeshire reported 73.
• Chief Veterinary Officer in Wales, Dr Richard Irvine, advised livestock owners to organize and order their BTV-3 vaccines well in advance of next season.
• Dr Irvine stated that BTV vaccination is the “only long-term viable option available” to safeguard livestock from bluetongue disease and added that bluetongue will persist throughout the winter season.
• It should be noted that the number represents affected premises, not individual animals.
• According to the nationwide numbers updated on 29 October, there are 3,468 affected premises: 2,915 in England, 498 in Wales and 55 in Scotland; there have been no reported cases in Northern Ireland this year.
• Livestock keepers should consider the bluetongue status of replacement animals and vaccine history prior to moving them to the premises.
• Any suspected cases should be reported immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) by calling 0300 303 8268.

Wales (Wales Times) October 30, 2026 – Almost 500 Welsh livestock farms have now recorded confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3, as the Welsh Government and the country’s Chief Veterinary Officer urge farmers to arrange vaccination ahead of the 2027 season.

The Welsh Government confirmed 498 cases of BTV-3 in Wales as of Thursday, 29 October 2026. The total refers to premises where the disease has been confirmed, rather than the number of animals infected.

As reported by the County Times, Powys remains the worst-hit Welsh county, with 83 confirmed cases across the outbreak. A later breakdown reported by Farming UK showed that Carmarthenshire had also recorded 83 affected premises, while Pembrokeshire had reported 73.

The development prompted Dr Richard Irvine, Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, to call on keepers of susceptible animals to speak to their vets and place vaccine orders in good time.

“We are now reaching a significant milestone, with almost 500 farms across Wales with confirmed BTV-3 cases this season,”

Dr Irvine said, as quoted by Nation.Cymru.

What has the Chief Veterinary Officer urged farmers to do?

Dr Irvine said livestock keepers should act now to protect their herds and flocks before the 2027 bluetongue season.

“Vaccination is the only viable long-term measure to protect livestock against Bluetongue,”

he said.

He also warned that the virus would remain present through the winter and could recur next year when conditions again favour the biting midges that transmit it.

“Bluetongue will persist over the winter, so it is essential to be prepared for the recurrence of this disease next year,” Dr Irvine said, according to the Welsh Government’s announcement.

The Chief Veterinary Officer encouraged farmers to contact their vets to plan vaccination and order BTV-3 vaccines early. The Welsh Government said advance orders would help suppliers anticipate demand and reduce the risk that farmers cannot obtain doses when case numbers rise.

“This reflects the continued widespread nature and impact of the disease across Wales and Great Britain, and underlines why vaccination must remain a priority for keepers of susceptible animals,” Dr Irvine said, as reported by County Times.

How widespread is bluetongue across the UK?

The Welsh outbreak forms part of a wider rise in BTV-3 cases across Great Britain during the 2026–27 season.

Figures updated on Thursday, 29 October and reported by Farming UK showed 3,468 affected premises across the UK: 2,915 in England, 498 in Wales and 55 in Scotland. No confirmed cases had been recorded in Northern Ireland during the season.

Earlier figures published on 26 October recorded 493 affected premises in Wales and 3,445 across the UK. The later Welsh Government confirmation of 498 cases represented an increase of five Welsh premises in three days.

The national figures include BTV-3 cases and cases where the serotype has not been specified.

Which Welsh counties have recorded the most cases?

Powys and Carmarthenshire have each recorded 83 affected premises, according to the latest Defra breakdown cited by Farming UK. Pembrokeshire has reported 73 affected premises.

The county-level figures underline the concentration of confirmed infections in west and mid Wales, although the Welsh Government has described the disease as widespread across Wales and Great Britain.

Earlier in the outbreak, the Farmers Guardian reported that BTV-3 had been found in Bridgend, Carmarthenshire, Clwyd, Monmouthshire, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Swansea and the Vale of Glamorgan.

What is bluetongue and how does it spread?

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease affecting ruminants, including sheep, cattle, goats and deer, as well as camelids such as llamas and alpacas. It is spread by biting midges of the Culicoides species.

The Animal and Disease Surveillance Alliance has said the disease can cause severe illness and high mortality in sheep, while cattle may become very ill, suffer reduced milk yield, and experience abortion or birth defects.

The Welsh Government has previously advised livestock keepers to remain alert for signs of disease, report suspected cases promptly and discuss vaccination with their private vet.

What biosecurity steps are being recommended?

Alongside vaccination, Dr Irvine reminded keepers to check the bluetongue status and vaccination history of any replacement animals before bringing them onto their holdings.

The Welsh Government has also advised farmers to learn the signs of bluetongue and to take care when sourcing livestock.

Anyone who suspects bluetongue should contact APHA immediately on 0300 303 8268.

Why are early vaccine orders being emphasised?

The Welsh Government warned that demand could outstrip available vaccine supplies when disease pressure increases. It said early orders would help manufacturers and suppliers assess demand and maintain commercial supplies for 2027.

NFU Cymru made a similar call earlier in the outbreak, urging members to communicate demand for vaccine to their private farm vets so that more doses could be “pulled through” to Wales.

The union said vaccination remained the best form of defence against the growing threat, while noting that vaccine supplies were limited at that stage.

Defra has previously said it was working with vaccine manufacturers to increase supplies after reports of shortages during the summer outbreak.

Background of the development

Bluetongue virus serotype 3 has spread across parts of Great Britain since the current outbreak began in July. The disease is transmitted by biting midges and is most prevalent during late summer months, when weather conditions can support midge activity.

The Welsh Government declared a bluetongue virus restricted zone across the whole of Wales from 00:01 on Monday, 10 November 2025. Since then, ministers and veterinary officials have repeatedly urged keepers to check livestock, report suspected disease and consider vaccination.

In August 2026, the UK Chief Veterinary Officer urged livestock keepers to be on high alert and to consider vaccinating their animals, particularly in south-west England and parts of Wales. Defra said three BTV-3 vaccines had been authorised for use in Great Britain.

By September, the Welsh Government reported more than 100 cases in Wales and urged keepers to place vaccine orders to demonstrate demand and improve access to commercially available supplies.

How could this affect Welsh farmers in 2027?

For Welsh livestock keepers, the immediate effect is a need to plan vaccination, biosecurity and livestock movements earlier than in previous seasons. Farmers who delay ordering vaccines may face greater difficulty obtaining doses if demand rises alongside case numbers, according to the Welsh Government.

Sheep and cattle producers could face animal-health and productivity consequences if infection spreads on their holdings. The Animal and Disease Surveillance Alliance has warned that bluetongue can cause severe illness and high mortality in sheep, while cattle can suffer reduced milk yield, abortion and birth defects.

For the wider Welsh farming sector, the confirmation of 498 affected premises may increase the importance of veterinary planning, safe sourcing of replacement animals and prompt reporting of suspected cases. The Welsh Government’s advice places vaccination, livestock-status checks and early APHA reporting at the centre of the response.