Defra permits licensed use of bluetongue vaccines
Movement restrictions will still apply to vaccinated animals.
The use of three unauthorised vaccines for bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) will be permitted in the UK subject to licence, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced.
The three vaccines permitted for use are Bultavo-3, BLUEVAC-3, and Syvazul BTV3. All three have been used in other European countries.
The vaccines are not expected to prevent animals from being infected by the virus or spreading it to other animals. However, the vaccines claim to reduce or prevent the clinic signs of bluetongue.
Because vaccinated animals will still be infectious, movement and trade restrictions will still apply to them.
It is expected that licences will become available in the coming days. The vaccines will have to be prescribed by a veterinary surgeon.
New cases of BTV-3 continue to be confirmed in England. In addition to recent cases in Norfolk and Suffolk, a case was confirmed at premises near Withersea in the East Riding of Yorkshire on 4 September. A 20km temporary control zone has been put in place and the affected animal will be culled.
A restricted zone is currently in place Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk. A specific licence is required to move animals outside the zone and farmers are urged to only move animals within the zone when it’s absolutely essential.
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office.
More information on the vaccine permits is available here. Further information on the restrictions can be found here.
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Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
