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Bluetongue Restrictions Persist in Scotland Amid Ongoing Spread
8 Sep
Summary
- Bluetongue control zone in Dumfries and Galloway to remain restricted.
- Movement of susceptible livestock from the zone requires a license.
- The virus was first recorded in livestock on August 8, 2026.
Control measures implemented to curb the spread of bluetongue in south-west Scotland are set to continue, as the disease remains a significant concern. A temporary control zone, initially established last month across much of Dumfries and Galloway and parts of Ayrshire, will transition into a restricted zone from Thursday. This change aligns with existing protocols in England and Wales.
Under these restrictions, the movement of susceptible ruminants, including cattle and sheep, out of the affected zone to other parts of Scotland will still necessitate a specific license. The virus was detected in Scottish livestock for the first time on August 8, 2026, at a farm in Creetown, leading to the establishment of these containment measures. The Scottish government urges immediate reporting of any animals exhibiting clinical signs of bluetongue to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
Experts suggest that infected midges, blown from England where the disease is more prevalent, likely introduced the virus to Scotland. The most recent figures indicate that bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) has affected 64 cattle and 15 sheep across 20 farms since the initial detection. These cases are concentrated around several towns including Newton Stewart, Lockerbie, and Dumfries.
