Vaccines are now available in Britain to protect sheep and cattle from Bluetongue

Bluetongue vaccines for sheep and cattle are now available across Britain, with supplies approved for use in vet practices.

There is a high risk of an outbreak of Bluetongue (BTV-8) towards the end of the summer as a result of infected midges being blown across the English Channel from France, where the disease is circulating. Blue tongue can affect all ruminants, but cattle and sheep are at particular risk. It poses no threat to human health and does not affect meat, milk or other animal products.

On Monday, Government Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Simon Hall, said, “It’s fantastic news that the vaccine is now available. This is the perfect time to talk to your vet as the vaccine is the only effective tool to prevent illness.

“I am urging our livestock farmers to keep an eye out for any signs of the disease and report any suspicions to their vet and the Animal and Plant Health Agency immediately, so we can work together to reduce the possible spread of Bluetongue this summer.”

The vaccination has to be given by injection twice (three weeks apart) in cattle and sheep, so it can take up to six weeks for the animal to be fully immune. Two companies, Zoetis and MSD, have announced that they are making a vaccine available in the UK.

Zoetis’s Zulvac 8 Bovis and Ovis vaccines are now available, with MSD Animal Health set to deliver its Bluevac BTV8, a single vaccine for both sheep and cattle, in the coming days. Both suppliers are confident there is enough vaccine to meet demand so that all farmers who wish to are able to vaccinate their animals now in GB.

The chief vet said the government has robust disease surveillance procedures in place. Restriction zones are already in place in France, to control the spread of the disease. If BTV was found in Great Britain, similar measures such as movement restrictions would be put in place in line with the disease control strategies.

On Monday, British Veterinary Association President Sean Wensley commented, "We welcome the announcement that vaccine will be available in time to meet potential demand. 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 benefits 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."

Farmers and vets who suspect bluetongue must report it immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03000 200 301.

For more information on Bluetongue visit the Joint Campaign Against Bluetongue (JAB) pages of the National Farmers Union’s website.