‘Alarming’ surge in bluetongue disease among UK sheep

Farmers advised to vaccinate after recent hot weather provides ideal conditions for virus-carrying midges There has been an “alarming” surge in the number of sheep affected by an outbreak of bluetongue in the UK, with farmers whose livestock are at risk being urged to move them out of areas where midges are plentiful. The virus, which does not necessarily kill sheep but makes them ill and can have a long recovery time, presents as high fever and swelling of the lips and tongue, with a one-week incubation time. The tongue may go blue and even protrude from the mouth. More than 590 cases were reported last week, according to the National Sheep Association (NSA). It is transmitted via biting midges (culicoides) and its arrival in the UK is associated with global heating.

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Scoop News DeskUk · Published Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM UTCUpdated Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 2:25 PM UTC

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The disease is creating additional uncertainty and financial pressures for many businesses, with members doing everything possible to protect their animals. “To reduce the risk, farmers are moving high-risk or non-vaccinated stock away from wet, low-lying, or sheltered areas and keeping vulnerable animals housed during dawn and dusk when midge activity peaks, all of which is added pressure on farmers and forage stocks during this challenging weather period.” The NSA’s chief executive, Phil Stocker, said: “The number of reported cases shot up last week to over 590, from just 115 the previous week.