Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 19th July 2016
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Bluetongue vaccine now available
sheep
"This disease seriously affects animal health and welfare as well as the productivity of livestock, and vaccination is the key control."
Suppliers say there will be enough vaccine to meet demand
 
A bluetongue vaccine is now available for sheep and cattle in Britain, Defra has confirmed. Farmers are now being urged to seek advice from their vet about whether to vaccinate.

There is a high risk of bluetongue serotype 8 (BTV-8) reaching Britain in late summer this year, due to infected midges being blown across the English Channel from France.

The BTV-8 vaccine needs to be administered twice, three weeks apart, so it can take up to six weeks for the animal to achieve full immunity. Zoetis's Zulvac 8 Bovis and Ovis vaccines and now available and MSD Animal Health is set to deliver its single vaccine Bluevac BTV8 in the next few days.

Both companies say they are confident there is enough vaccine to meet demand.

BVA president Sean Wensley welcomed the news, saying: "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 benefit 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."

Defra is urging livestock keepers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue and report any suspicions to their vet and the APHA without delay.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

FIVP announces third series of Practice Matters

News Story 1
 The Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) has announced a third season of its podcast, Practice Matters.

Hosted by Ian Wolstenholme, series three will focus on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation, including a discussion about some of the expected impacts on independent veterinary colleagues.

Episode one launches on 13th January with guests Drs David Reader and Scott Summers, who will draw on their research into the CMA investigation and provide insights into themes such as transparency, pricing and consumer trust.

Ian Wolstenholme said: "In its third series, we will try and hone in on what the changes will mean in reality for independent practices with advice and guidance on implementation and delivery, drawing on the experience of our own team and other experts in the profession. Hope you can join us soon!" 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk