Bluetongue
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Latest information
10 March 2009
Farmers and veterinary professionals are reminded that Bluetongue vaccines should not be used beyond their expiry date.
Intervet have worked with Defra, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate to investigate the possibility of extending expiry dates. However, the medicines legislation does not allow for the extensions of shelf lives for products after they have entered the supply chain. This means that extensions are not possible. Livestock keepers should therefore continue to abide by the expiry dates given on the vaccine packaging.
Livestock keepers are reminded that the risk of infection significantly rises with warmer weather. Therefore vaccinating at the earliest opportunity, before the risk of Bluetongue spread increases is paramount. Farmers wishing to order vaccine should speak to their vet as soon as possible.
23/12/2008: Bluetongue in Europe
Farmers should think very carefully about whether they really need to import animals from Bluetongue infected areas in view of the associated risk of bringing infection to Wales. The Zoning across Europe has become increasingly complicated particularly as France has recently declared the whole country a Protection Zone for Bluetongue strain 1. This is in addition to the zone for strain 8, which has been declared in Wales. This means that animals cannot be imported from France unless they have been vaccinated against Bluetongue strain 1 and they meet the qualifying periods, 60 days or 35 days with a PCR test, prior to movement.
16/12/2008: The Bluetongue Vaccination Plan for Wales 2009 was published today.
The Plan, which is valid until 31 December 2009 reaffirms that a voluntary vaccination programme is the most appropriate method of delivery. Some 5.5 million doses of vaccine remain from the supply provided for Wales in 2008 and will help in meeting the anticipated demand in 2009. Welsh Assembly Government will not be directly involved in securing additional vaccine in 2009 beyond the existing surplus. It will be for farmers to purchase sufficient vaccine for their stock from their vets. This approach to vaccine supply was developed with key stakeholders. BTV 8 vaccine is expected to be readily available from the 3 manufacturers which are supplying vaccine direct to the market
Please click on the link to the publication index to the right of the screen to view the document.
30/10/2008 Scotland to become Bluetongue Protection Zone on 3 November
The Scottish Government has confirmed that Scotland will become a Protection Zone on 3 November 2008 (external link). This will facilitate free movement of animals Bluetongue susceptible animals in Great Britain, subject to the usual conditions such as six day standstill.
16/09/08 Bluetongue detected in Denbighshire
Two imported cattle have tested positive for Bluetongue type 8. Another animal is under investigation at a premises near Rhuthin, Denbighshire. The cattle were imported from the Limoges area of France and were detected following post-import testing. They were part of a group of seven cattle. Restrictions have been imposed on the premises pending further investigations and a veterinary risk assessment. For more information, please click on "Latest news" to the right of your screen.
04/09/08 There is no standstill period for animals after they have been vaccinated against Bluetongue.
Cattle and sheep will be able to move out of the Protection Zone, which now covers all of Wales and England, 60 days after they have been vaccinated. They can move freely within the Protection Zone, which covers Wales and England, during that time. Unvaccinated animals cannot move out of the Protection Zone at all, unless they are going straight to slaughter at an approved abattoir.
29/08/08 Don't wait - Vaccinate now protection zone declared across Wales
A Bluetongue Protection Zone will cover the whole of Wales from 00.01 Monday 1 September, the Welsh Assembly Government announced today. Farmers are being urged to vaccinate their animals as soon as they can.
As well as urging farmers to vaccinate, the Welsh Assembly Government is reminding farmers of their responsibility to protect their industry against the disease by:
- thinking carefully about where they source their animals and
- avoid moving them to Wales from areas where Bluetongue is circulating.
The existing Protection Zone which currently covers South East Wales will be extended to cover the whole country on Monday. This will enables vaccination against Bluetongue to take place across all of Wales.
The latest Bluetongue news, licences and legislation can be viewed by clicking the links to the right of the screen
Bluetongue Vaccination
- The vaccine will only be authorised for sale via veterinary practices following epidemiological advice in light of the development of the disease.
- If vaccination is authorised in any part of Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government would be required to declare the area concerned a Bluetongue Protection Zone
Signs of disease
The clinical signs can vary from inapparent to mild or severe, depending on the virus strain and the breed of sheep involved. Deaths of sheep in a flock may reach as high as 70 per cent. Animals that survive the disease will lose condition with a reduction in meat and wool production. In sheep, the disease is characterised by fever that may last for several days. Increased respiration and hyperaemia of the lips, mucous linings of the mouth and nose and eyelids, accompanied by excess salivation and frothing follow this. Nasal discharges are common. There is sometimes oedema (abnormal swelling) of the head and neck. The hyperaemia and oedema may result in lameness and recumbency. Animals can lose condition rapidly, including muscle degeneration. Infection during pregnancy may result in abortions and congenital abnormalities.
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