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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. 

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.