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Extension of Bluetongue Protection Zone to Allow Further Vaccination: Merial Bluetongue Vaccine Licensed

   

NEWS RELEASE

Ref: 232/08
Date: 17 July 2008

Defra has today announced that the Bluetongue Protection Zone will be extended again on Monday 21 July, following the delivery by Intervet of almost 2 million additional doses of Bluetongue serotype 8 (BTV-8) vaccine.

Vaccination is only permitted within the Protection Zone. In accordance with the Bluetongue vaccination plan, the Protection Zone will be extended to cover Worcestershire and the districts in North Yorkshire (Scarborough, Ryedale, Hambleton & Harrogate), Cheshire (Macclesfield, Congleton & Crewe and Nantwich) and Greater Manchester (Rochdale, Oldham, Tameside and Stockport) previously in the Surveillance Zone.  We will continue to roll out vaccination as vaccine is delivered, in line with the vaccination roll-out plan.

The additional vaccine is available for use in the existing Protection Zone from today. Livestock keepers in the areas coming into the Protection Zone will be able to obtain the vaccine from Monday. However, they are encouraged to order vaccine so that they can protect their livestock at the earliest opportunity.

Protection Zone restrictions will apply to those keepers coming into the extended zone. Animals can only be moved out of the Protection Zone if they are vaccinated, naturally immune or moving for slaughter, subject to meeting certain conditions. Please refer to the Defra website for further guidance.

Defra also confirmed that the Merial BTV-8 vaccine has been awarded a provisional marketing authorisation from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. The granting of a provisional marketing authorisation is an important step in confirming that the vaccine will be safe and effective.

On 11 June, Defra placed an order with Merial to deliver 13 million doses of BTV-8 vaccine, eight million for use in England and five million for use in Wales.

Notes to Editors

  1. The Protection Zone will be expanded at 00:01 on Monday 21 July to cover Worcestershire and the districts in North Yorkshire (Scarborough, Ryedale, Hambleton & Harrogate), Cheshire (Macclesfield, Congleton & Crewe and Nantwich) and Greater Manchester (Rochdale, Oldham, Tameside and Stockport) previously in the Surveillance Zone.
  2. Further information, including maps of the Bluetongue Zones and guidance on movement restrictions, can be found at: www.defra.gov.uk/bluetongue
  3. Further information is available to farmers via the Defra helpline (0845 9335577) and website: www.defra.gov.uk

End

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Page published: 17 July 2008