Bluetongue (sheep, cattle and goats)

Current situation in Jersey

Recent Jersey surveillance testing has detected Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV3) in a number cattle from various holdings across the island.

There have been no reports of any clinical signs in the cattle that tested positive, or any other cattle, sheep or goats on the island. We attribute this to the island wide vaccination campaign in Spring 2025.

Control zones

Declaration of an Infected Area for Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV3)

The entire island is now an infected area for BTV.

No import or export of the following can take place without authorisation from the States Veterinary Officer:

• livestock
• carcases
• germinal products

There are no restrictions on inter island movements on animals unless they are displaying clinical signs of BTV. 

Declaration of an infected area, including control measures

Letter to livestock keepe​rs

About the disease​

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease that affects:

• sheep
• cattle
• other ruminants such as goats
  

It does not affect people or food safety. Outbreaks can result in long animal movement and trade restrictions.​

Bluetongue on GOV.UK

Signs of Bluetongue​​

​Sheep

Sheep are more likely to show obvious clinical signs of bluetongue than cattle if they become infected with bluetongue virus.

Signs in sheep include:

• ulcers or sores in the mouth and nose
• discharge from the eyes or nose and drooling from mouth
• swelling of the lips, tongue, head and neck and the coronary band, where the skin of the leg meets the horn of the foot

Other clinical signs for sheep include:

• red skin as a result of blood collecting beneath the surface
• fever
• lameness
• breathing problems
• abortion, foetal deformities and stillbirths
• death

Lambs

Signs in lambs include:

• being born small, weak, deformed or blind
• death of lambs within a few days of birth or stillborn

Cattle

Signs in cattle include:

• lethargy
• crusty erosions around the nostrils and muzzle
• redness of the mouth, eyes, nose
• reddening of the skin above the hoof
• nasal discharge
• reddening and erosions on the teats
• fever
• drop in milk yield
• not eating
• abortion, foetal deformities and stillbirths

Adult cattle may be infectious for several weeks while showing little or no sign of disease. They are often the preferred host for biting midges, the vector of bluetongue virus.

Calves

Signs in calves include:

• being born small, weak, deformed or blind
• death of calves within a few days of birth or stillborn​

Animals may take a long time to recover, never fully​ recover or die.

Protect livestock

Vaccination is the best way to protect animals from bluetongue.

Bluetongue declaration of mandatory vaccination

Vaccination Campaign Spring 2025

Over recent years the BTV situation in both France and the UK was concerning. This was because Jersey has the midge species and temperatures that can facilitate the spread and replication of the virus.

To protect Jersey’s livestock health and welfare the Chief Veterinary Officer, on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, implemented a mandatory vaccination of all susceptible stock.

The vaccination campaign started in April 2025 and ran for approximately 2 months and meant that:

• all eligible cattle, sheep, and goats received 2 different BTV vaccinations, 1 each for BTV serotypes 3 and 8
• cattle were also vaccinated against Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (EHD) because it is spread by the same species of midge. The disease is currently present in France

Signs of EHD on GOV.​UK

By early June 2025, the campaign had reached its target coverage. It’s estimated that over 90% of the total ruminant population completing the full vaccination protocol.

Vaccination Statistics

5457 animals completed the full vaccination schedule out of a total population of susceptible animals of 5925.

How the disease spreads

Bluetongue is spread by midges that bite the animal. It's passed from:

• animal to midge
• midge to animal
  

It’s not passed from animal to animal.

The midges are most active and capable of spreading the virus when temperatures are consistently above 15 °C. Peak transmission risk around 20 to 25 degrees Celsius in warm, humid conditions.

The disease can spread over a large area as midges fly or are blown in the winds.

We can’t prevent the midges breeding. Keeping your livestock away from breeding sites, for example, poorly drained areas and dung heaps, may have a small effect in reducing exposure to the insects​