The potentially fatal bluetongue virus has been detected on a third farm in Dumfries and Galloway.

The first case to be found in Scotland was discovered in a lamb at Kirkmabreck Farm near Creetown on Saturday.

Two sheep at a neighbouring farm were found to have the virus on Wednesday, and Scotland's chief veterinary officer, Sheila Voas, said the latest case was nearby.

Voas previously said it was likely that infected midges carried the disease over to Scotland from outbreaks in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man or the north of England.

The latest case of bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) was found in a sheep, she said.

Voas added: "This premises is less than 2km (1.2 miles) from the existing two confirmed cases (three individual animals) in the same parish.

"All three farms are under restriction while investigations, including testing other susceptible animals, are ongoing.

"Vaccination remains the best way of preventing disease in animals and I encourage all farmers to discuss this with their vets."

However some farmers have raised concerns about the availability of the vaccine.

All four animals found to have the virus in Scotland have been euthanised on welfare grounds.

There has been 373 cases of BTV-3 in the UK in the 2026/27 season, most of them in the south-west of England.

Signs of BTV3 include nasal discharge, redness and swelling of the lips, nose and muzzle, lameness or reluctance to stand, a decrease in milk production and diarrhoea in cattle.

It does not affect people or food safety but it causes a high rate of death in infected sheep and fertility problems in infected cattle.

BTV3 is a notifiable disease that must be reported to the Animal and Plant Agency in Scotland.

A recent spike in cases in the south-west of England has been blamed on the hot and humid weather.

The Animal and Plant Agency has said the conditions were favourable for midge populations which carry the virus between animals.