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VMD issues advice on RHDV-2
rabbit
A recent analysis found that the RHDV-2 virus has been present in the UK since 2010.

Vets urged to use their clinical judgement

The VMD has issued advice to vets on treating rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV-2) amid concerns over a lack of vaccine.

They say that in the absence of a medicine to treat RHDV-2, vets can either:

  • Prescribe another medicine in accordance with the prescribing cascade, or
  • import a vaccine under the VMD’s Special Import Scheme (SIS)

A recent analysis found that the RHDV-2 virus has been present in the UK since 2010. Currently there is no specific vaccine for this variant, and conventional RHD vaccines provide only limited protection.

The VMD report that some vets are importing vaccines authorised against RHDV-2 from other EU countries under the SIS. These include Filavac VHD K C+V, Novarviap and Cunipravac RHD Variant.

However, no information is available on the safety and efficacy of these vaccines for rabbits, including when they are used at the same time as other vaccines (e.g. classical RHDV vaccines).

The VMD urges vets to use their clinical judgement in individual cases to decide the most suitable vaccination protocol.

‘The vet should contact the vaccine manufacturer directly for further information,’ they add.

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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.