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Vets urged to have early conversations with farmers about leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a costly disease, thought to cost farmers and average of £270 a cow.

Disease can be prevented through vaccination and biosecurity management

Vets and SQPs are being advised to hold conversations early with cattle farmers about the management of leptospirosis and the advantages of vaccination.


Leptospirosis is a costly disease, thought to cost farmers an average of £270 a cow. However, experts at MSD Animal Heath stress that the disease can be prevented through vaccination and biosecurity management. 


“We need to help farmers understand the impact of leptospirosis infection on their herd, with many not aware of their herd’s current infection status unless there has been a serious outbreak,” commented Steph Small, MSD Animal Health dairy veterinary advisor.


“Vets can open the conversation about clinical signs, including a drop in milk yield, fever, loss of appetite and abortion. However, more often there may be a long-term economic impact of infection caused by more insidious signs, including reduced fertility and overall cow performance.”


MSD Animal Health notes that the key prevention measure is vaccination, starting with heifers and continuing with annual boosters throughout the cow’s lifetime.

“Vaccination is the most reliable method of control, preferably with a vaccine licensed to protect against both strains of leptospirosis present in the UK, L. borgpetersenii hardjo and L. interrogans hardjo, such as LEPTAVOID®-H,” Steph continues. 


“Not only does LEPTAVOID-H protect against both strains, but it has also been proven to increase conception rates where leptospirosis is diagnosed as a cause of infertility. In split herd trials, cows vaccinated with LEPTAVOID-H had a 20 per cent higher conception rate than unvaccinated cows.”


Steph reiterates that, with the high-risk period of infection at spring turnout, the timing of advising farmers.

“Having these discussions over the winter about current herd infection status and leptospirosis prevention strategies will allow protocols to be implemented in time,” concludes Steph.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
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NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.