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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.

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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.