Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 11th August 2014
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

First IB QX vaccine announced for UK poultry industry
Chicken in a field
Full approval for the Poulvac vaccine will make it easier and more effective to tackle specific QX infections without having to apply for an important certificate
First specific vaccine against the QX strain is now available in the UK and Ireland

The availability in the UK and Ireland of the first specific vaccine against the QX strain of the infectious bronchitis virus has been announced - Poulvac IB QX.

Previously the vaccine, has only been available with a special import certificate for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for use on flocks where the QX virus has been isolated.

The variant IB strain was first seen in the UK in South-East England in 2007 and has been an increasing problem in European countries over the last 10 years. Since the first sighting, QX has been isolated from a number of commercial layer and broiler flocks, leading to inferior performance and increased mortality.

The vaccine is based in a live attenuated virus and is administered as a coarse spray to broilers from day-old and to layer pullets or broiler breeds from seven days of age. Protection has been demonstrated by challenge study to last 63 days after vaccination.

Often used on the farm, the vaccine can be administered to chicks at the hatchery if adequate controls are in place to avoid spread to other chicks that will be moved to non-QX exposed flocks.

The manufacturers say that full approval for the Poulvac vaccine will make it easier and more effective to tackle specific QX infections without having to apply for an important certificate. 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.