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: 19th July 2016
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

Bluetongue vaccine now available
sheep
"This disease seriously affects animal health and welfare as well as the productivity of livestock, and vaccination is the key control."
Suppliers say there will be enough vaccine to meet demand
 
A bluetongue vaccine is now available for sheep and cattle in Britain, Defra has confirmed. Farmers are now being urged to seek advice from their vet about whether to vaccinate.

There is a high risk of bluetongue serotype 8 (BTV-8) reaching Britain in late summer this year, due to infected midges being blown across the English Channel from France.

The BTV-8 vaccine needs to be administered twice, three weeks apart, so it can take up to six weeks for the animal to achieve full immunity. Zoetis's Zulvac 8 Bovis and Ovis vaccines and now available and MSD Animal Health is set to deliver its single vaccine Bluevac BTV8 in the next few days.

Both companies say they are confident there is enough vaccine to meet demand.

BVA president Sean Wensley welcomed the news, saying: "This disease seriously affects animal health and welfare as well as the productivity of livestock, and vaccination is the key control.

"We recommend farmers speak to their local vet about the benefit of vaccination, taking into account their locality and individual circumstances. Farmers should not hesitate to seek advice if they have any concerns about their livestock."

Defra is urging livestock keepers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue and report any suspicions to their vet and the APHA without delay.

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

Rabbit Awareness Week set to return this summer

News Story 1
 Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) is returning this summer, running from 24-28 June 2024. The theme for this year will be 'Healthy Diet, Happy Bunnies'.

The focus on rabbits' diet comes after the most recent PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report report revealed that 42 per cent of veterinary professionals identified inappropriate diet as one of the five most important rabbit welfare issues that need to be address.

The campaign will include veterinary blogs, videos, and digital waiting room resources. Practices can sign up to receive updates about RAW. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
CVS Group hit by cyber attack

CVS Group, which owns more than 450 veterinary practices in the UK, has been hit by a cyber attack.

In a statement, the group said the incident involved unauthorised external access to a limited number of its IT systems. As soon as the attack was discovered, the group took its IT systems temporarily offline, causing 'considerable operational disruption'.

It has warned that the security steps taken and ongoing plans to move its operational systems and IT infrastructure to the Cloud are likely to have an ongoing impact over a number of weeks.

Due to the risk that personal information was accessed, CVS has informed the Information Commissioner's Office. The company is working with third party consultants to investigate the incident.