Case of bluetongue virus strain confirmed in sheep

The virus is spread mainly by midge bites, the Animal and Plant Health Agency said

A strain of the bluetongue virus has been confirmed in a sheep in Cornwall for the first time in 17 years.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency said bluetongue (BTV-8) was found in a premises near Launceston on Friday.

It said it was the first case of the BTV-8 strain in the UK since 2008, with 78 other cases of BTV-3, a different strain of the virus, recorded in England since July 2025.

Spread mainly by midge bites, bluetongue is a "notifiable disease" which can be fatal for livestock.

It follows the death of a ram in Cornwall which was confirmed positive for BTV-3 earlier this month.

The agency said the case of BTV-8 followed reports of "suspicious clinical signs" and any movements on or off the premises would be traced and tested.

Bluetongue affects sheep, cattle, deer, goats and camelids such as llamas and alpacas.

Livestock movement restricted

Viral diseases research centre The Pirbright Institute said bluetongue was considered an "exotic disease" before an outbreak of the BTV-8 strain across parts of Europe between 2006 and 2009.

The strain was first diagnosed in the UK in September 2007 and a vaccination roll-out the following year helped stop the spread of BTV-8.

Signs of bluetongue include ulcers or sores in the mouth and nose, discharge from the eyes or nose and drooling from mouth, and swelling of the lips, tongue, head and neck.

The virus presents no threat to food safety or human health but can be fatal for livestock, and outbreaks result in prolonged animal movement and trade restrictions, said the agency.

Movement of livestock from England into Wales is currently restricted without a negative test, as is transporting unvaccinated animals across the border.