British farmers are facing the worst bluetongue season on record, with the number of cases already surpassing the combined total of the past three years. As of 3 October 2026, 2,201 cases have been recorded in the current season, which began on 1 July 2026, with 1,103 of these occurring in September.
The viral disease, transmitted by biting midges, affects animals such as sheep and cattle, causing symptoms including fevers, ulcers, swollen heads, lameness, and potentially death. The current strain, serotype 3 (BTV-3), was first identified in England in 2023.
This summer, the disease has spread into Scotland for the first time, with cases reported as far north as Aberdeenshire. The World Organisation for Animal Health links the virus's spread to Europe over the past two decades to climate breakdown, with academics stating that hotter temperatures contribute to a rise in cases being recorded farther north.
Robyn Munt, vice-president of the National Farmers’ Union, noted the challenges farmers face in obtaining vaccines, describing it as a “demand-led process.” She added that dealing with vaccinations and potential treatments adds significant labour pressure and stress on farm businesses already impacted by climate-related costs.
Tom Cantillon, a senior analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, described this year's record outbreak as a “harbinger of things to come,” suggesting that milder winters and hotter summers, linked to climate change, will enable more pests and pathogens to establish themselves in the UK.