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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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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.