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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 19th July 2016
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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.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.