Bluetongue: Latest situation
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The situation in the UK has remained static since the last confirmed premise for BTV-8 (an imported case) was detected on 14 November 2008:
- 149 confirmed premises affected by BTV-8 in England and Wales to date, since the first case of BTV-8 was confirmed in September 2007.
- During 2008 we received 10 confirmed BTV8 positive consignments in England arising from imported cattle or sheep from mainland Europe, these were detected through post-import testing for all serotypes. These animals were moved to UK legally.
- No circulating Bluetongue disease was found in the UK in 2008.
Bluetongue - Complacency Costs!
Watch Defra’s Bluetongue video outlining why farmers can’t afford to be complacent about Bluetongue in 2009, featuring farmer Robert Law and Deputy Chief Vet Alick Simmons.
7 May 2009
- News release: Discounted Bluetongue vaccine for farmers. Defra has today announced that its remaining Bluetongue vaccine stocks will be discounted by 50%, effective from Thursday 7 May.
31 March 2009
- Global Animal Health - Customer Information Note: - changes to post import testing requirements.
27 February 2009
Farmers and veterinary professionals are reminded that Bluetongue vaccines should not be used beyond their expiry date.
Intervet have worked with Defra and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate to investigate the possibility of extending the expiry dates on some of the early expiring stocks of vaccine. 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, so 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.
Details of available vaccines, including usage and cost are available.
More...
See also
- Latest situation on vaccination.
- Check if you are affected - See movement guidance and licences
- 2008 confirmed cases
- Declarations.
- Animal Health's disease alerts service - Register to be kept up-to-date on the animal disease situation.
- Farming industry bluetongue vaccination campaign (links to NFU online website).
- The Bluetongue Order 2007.
For the latest situation in Europe, please visit the following links:
Page last modified: 23 June 2009