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Sheep farmers urged to vaccinate early against enzootic abortion
"Once we get close to tupping, there is very little we can do if there is a shortfall in vaccine supply at the crucial time." - Fiona Lovatt
Cevac warn of anticipated shortage of enzootic abortion vaccine.

Veterinary surgeons should encourage sheep farmers to vaccinate their flock early in the season to avoid the anticipated shortage of Cevac Chlamydia. The vaccine helps to protect against enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE), which is one of the most common causes of abortion in ewes, and can cost the UK sheep industry up to £20 million each year.

Ceva advises that the EAE vaccine can be administered to ewe lambs from five months of age, and to shearlings (ewes over the age of 12 months) within four months before tupping. The vaccine should be administered at least four weeks before the ram goes in with the ewes.

Ruminant veterinary advisor at Ceva Animal Health Harry Walby said: "We have been advised that there will be stock availability issues later in the year and so we are urging vets to encourage farmers to vaccinate their flocks as early as possible to utilise current provisions of Cevac Chlamydia whilst stocks are available.”

Chlamydophila abortus is a bacterium that causes EAE. It is highly infectious, spreading from sheep to sheep, mainly during lambing time, and can cause ewes to abort or give birth to weak lambs. Sheep that are infected approximately 100 days after pregnancy are unlikely to be affected in that lambing, but the bacterium becomes latent, reactivating in subsequent lambings to cause abortion.

Fiona Lovatt, recognised specialist in sheep health and production, said: “An outbreak of enzootic abortion is devastating - this is a disease for which it is essential to ‘Plan ahead, Prevent disease and Protect the flock’. 

“Once we get close to tupping, there is very little we can do if there is a shortfall in vaccine supply at the crucial time. It would be sensible to be ahead of the game and ensure that first time lambers – whether ewe lambs or shearlings - are vaccinated earlier in the season and while there are stocks available.” 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.