Bluetongue confirmed in Shropshire as cases rise across UK

The first cases this year of the sheep and cattle disease bluetongue have been confirmed in Shropshire.

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The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) say four cases have now been confirmed in the county among 25 new cases confirmed across England on August 23.

Among the other locations where cases were confirmed include Devon, Somerset, Cheshire, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, West Midlands (Solihull), West Yorkshire, Worcestershire and Norfolk.

Of these, 18 cases involved sheep, 6 involved cattle and one was a mixed farm affecting both cattle and sheep. All the premises were tested following reports of suspicious clinical signs.

Three of the new confirmed cases were in Powys, Defra said.

They added that all cases had presented with clinical signs typical of those seen in recent cases.

There are currently 618 cases of bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) in the UK in the 2026 to 2027 bluetongue season.

Along with the four confirmed cases in Shropshire in 2026, there have been 15 confirmed cases in Powys and 9 in Staffordshire.

Bluetongue virus poses no risk to human health and does not infect people but can be fatal to livestock.

The confirmed cases come after farmers in Shropshire have voiced concerns over the availability of the vaccine for bluetongue.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is hosting a meeting at Shrewsbury Auction Centre on Wednesday this week to allow levy payers the chance to hear from experts from across the industry and to receive timely practical information and support related to the disease.