Latest on Bluetongue: New vaccine guidance for vets

The Ruminant Health and Welfare Group (RHWG) has produced a useful comparison table on Bluetongue (BTV-3) vaccines for vets, following the announcement earlier this month permitting the use of 3 unauthorised bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines subject to license within the UK.

Farm vets can access the document here, which lays out vital information including around the vaccines’ use and administration, special precautions, safety in breeding males, storage requirements and an update on their supply and availability.

The factsheet comes as the Government has extended restricted zones to tackle Bluetongue as the number of confirmed cases in sheep and cattle continue to rise in England.

The changes introduced yesterday include:

• A restricted zone in Kent has been extended to cover the entire county and will now also cover East Sussex.
• An extended restricted zone will replace the temporary control zone in force in the East Riding of Yorkshire and parts of Lincolnshire, both of which have also been designated High-Risk counties.

For the latest updates, see the government's Bluetongue interactive map.

Vets are not restricted from entering these areas to advise and treat the symptoms of Bluetongue.

UK farmers and members working with these types of animals should remain vigilant for any signs of Bluetongue. If you have any concerns or suspect BTV contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03000 200 301 (England) and 0300 303 8268 (Wales), or the Local Field Service Office in Scotland.

Information on how to spot and report BTV can be viewed here.