British farmers face record outbreak of bluetongue

British farmers are experiencing the worst outbreak of bluetongue, also known as bluetongue, on record, the Guardian newspaper reports.

"British farmers are experiencing the worst bluetongue season on record," it said.

According to the publication, since July 1, 2026, 2,201 cases of the disease have been registered, of which 1,103 were reported in September alone. The number of cases in this 2026-2027 season has already exceeded the last three seasons combined.

The virus, originally found primarily in Africa, was first identified in the UK in 2023, the newspaper reported. The disease was first identified in Scotland this year. Scientists associate its advance to the north of the country with climate change - hotter temperatures create favorable conditions for the development of the virus inside blood-sucking insects that transmit the disease to livestock.

Bluetongue is a viral disease that affects sheep and cattle. It causes fever, ulcers, swelling of the head and lameness, and the tongue may turn blue and even fall out of the mouth. In severe cases, animals die. The disease does not pose a danger to humans or food.