Animal virus and disease guidance
Current update November 2024: Bluetongue case confirmed on Isle of Wight
Use our our advice and be aware of all the current updates about Bluetongue on the island.
If you keep animals please use this information, guidance and advice to help you manage any of the notifiable diseases in animals. You are legally obliged to report notifiable diseases.
A notifiable disease is a disease within livestock that must be reported to DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food andRural Affairs).
It is a legal requirement to report notifiable diseases.
- You may find our guidance for farmers and livestock helpful.
We have dedicated advice web pages providing current updates for:
This is an emerging threat in Europe and could decimate the pig production business in the UK. It is illegal to feed livestock catering waste and animal by products.
If you suspect it, you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline telephone 03000 200 301.
Failure to do so is an offence.
Guidance on ASF, provided by GOV.UK:
- African swine fever risk reminder - GOV.UK
- African swine fever: how to spot and report the disease - GOV.UK
Advice on how to keep pigs
The UK has self-declared zonal freedom from highly pathogenic avian influenza. This will begin in Great Britain from 29 March 2024.
This abides by the Avian Influenza - WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health rules.
Find out the latest information and guidance on Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England - GOV.UK
If you suspect a case of bird flu, report it by contacting DEFRA, telephone 03000 200 301
Learn more about the Bluetongue Virus how to prevent it spreading and how to register your land with APHA
Suspected Bluetongue must be reported immediately. Contact Animal Disease Alert Service (APHA) telephone 03000 200 301