Bluetongue confirmed on 498 farms in Wales as vets urge vaccine orders for 2027

Wales's Chief Veterinary Officer says the disease will persist over winter and warns keepers who wait until the last minute risk missing out on vaccine.

Ellie Williams · Thu 29 Oct, 16:07

Welsh Black cattle near Penderyn. Photo: Darren Wyn Rees at Penderyn Online, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. File picture; the animals shown are not affected.

Original photograph CC BY-SA 4.0

There are 498 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) in Wales, the Welsh Government said on Thursday, and the Chief Veterinary Officer is telling livestock keepers to plan for next year now. Dr Richard Irvine said the disease "will persist over the winter", so keepers should be prepared for it to come back in 2027. The figure is correct as of 29 October 2026.

Order early, says the Chief Vet

Dr Irvine said vaccination "is the only viable long-term measure to protect livestock against Bluetongue" and pointed to the damage seen in south-west England this summer, saying "the same could well happen in Wales next year". He said demand for vaccine outstripped supply once disease pressure built this summer. Ordering early, he said, gives livestock the best protection and shows suppliers there is demand, which helps keep commercial supplies available. Keepers should talk to their vet about placing BTV-3 vaccine orders in good time.

What keepers should do

Before bringing replacement animals onto a holding, check their Bluetongue status and ask whether they have been vaccinated. Livestock keepers in Wales are legally required to report suspected cases to APHA immediately on 0300 303 8268. Farmers and vets can follow the situation on the Bluetongue Cases and Zones map, and GOV.UK guidance sets out the signs of the disease.

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