MSD has announced that the broad-spectrum clostridial disease vaccine for sheep and cattle, Bravoxin 10, is now available in a new 6 x 100ml farm vaccination pack. The pack contains enough vaccine for 600 sheep or 300 cattle boosters.

Buyers of the new farm pack will also get a free vaccine applicator worth £20. The new Bravoxin 10 applicator benefits from the sterimatic system, which protects and sterilises the vaccination needle with each injection. MSD says it can also be placed down between doses without risk of needle damage, self-injection or needing to remove the vaccine bottle.

Bravoxin 10 protects both cattle and sheep from clostridial diseases like blackleg and black disease, as well as other conditions caused by clostridial bacteria that usually kill the animal once infection has become established. The vaccine protects against disease caused by the 10 main clostridial bacteria; C. perfringens type A, C.perfringens type B, C.perfringens type C, C.perfringens type D, C.novyi type B, C.septicum, C.tetani, C.sordellii, C.haemolyticum and C.chauvoei. 

The RCVS ViVet innovation project is holding an interactive workshop to introduce veterinary professionals to creativity techniques that can help them develop innovative thinking within the practice team.

The two 60-minute interactive sessions are taking place on Wednesday (21st April) at 12.30pm and 6pm, coinciding with the United Nation’s World Creativity and Innovation Day.

Each session will introduce a range of creative techniques that can be used to spur innovation. Different breakout groups will then have various problems to solve and will utilise these techniques to tackle challenges and issues encountered within everyday veterinary practice.

Sophie Rogers, RCVS ViVet Manager, said: "These creativity techniques are a framework for approaching problems, but the key to developing solutions to everyday tasks and problems is learning how to foster and harness the whole team's creative abilities. These workshops will provide the techniques to help you and your team overcome the common barriers to creativity and gain the tools and mindsets needed to break existing patterns and ways of doing things, generate new ideas, and improve creative self-leadership.”

The workshops will be hosted by Gill Stevens (pictured right), the Founding Director of Level Seven, a consultancy that specialises in merging coaching with design thinking methodology as a way to support innovation and team productivity, and Rick Harris, Founder of Customer Faithful, a research-led consultancy, specialising in customer research, proposition design and employee engagement.  

Veterinary professionals can sign up to the sessions, which count towards their continuing professional development (CPD) requirement, via the ViVet website at: www.vivet.org.uk/interactive-workshop-on-creative-thinking/

The Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has unanimously approved the introduction of a disciplinary system for registered veterinary nurses from 1 April 2011.

The RCVS established the non-statutory Register for Veterinary Nurses in 2007, and says that registration signals a commitment from veterinary nurses to account for their professional practice.

Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) commit to keep their skills up to date via mandatory continuing professional development and abide by the Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses. The disciplinary mechanism is the final component of this regulatory framework. From 1 April 2011, an RVN can be removed or suspended from the Register if found guilty of serious professional misconduct, fraudulent registration or criminal offences affecting his or her fitness to practise.

The decision has been awaited for some time, as according to the College, there has been some dispute about whether an RVN could be removed from the statutory List of Veterinary Nurses (meaning veterinary surgeons would be barred from delegating to them tasks allowed under Schedule 3 to the Veterinary Surgeons Act, such as medical treatment or minor surgery), as well as the non-statutory Register.

Following legal advice that it would not be appropriate to remove someone from a statutory list via a non-statutory regulatory system, RCVS Council and the Veterinary Nurses Council opted for removal from the Register only, with the caveat that any such removed VNs will be clearly identified on the List. In addition, veterinary surgeons will be advised, via the Guide to Professional Conduct, against delegating Schedule 3 tasks to them.

Council also confirmed that it would seek an amendment to Schedule 3 as soon as possible, to enable it to remove the names of nurses found guilty of serious professional misconduct or other charges from the List.

VN Council Chairman Liz Branscombe said: "The Veterinary Nurses Council is committed to moving towards statutory regulation for veterinary nurses. This non-statutory commitment to a disciplinary system is our chance to show government and the public that we are ready and willing to be regulated, which should stand us in good stead for the future."

The RVN disciplinary system will mirror that for veterinary surgeons, with the same complaints-handling, investigation and decision-making processes and sanctions.

Registered Veterinary Nurses will receive more detailed information about the system over the coming months.

The RCVS Practice Standards Group (PSG) has published the results of its five-year review of the Practice Standards Scheme (PSS), with major changes surrounding the role of nurses, clinical governance and staff health and wellbeing.  

From now on, accredited General Practices will need to employ at least one Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN), whilst at Veterinary Hospitals all patients should now have a nursing plan in place, and an RVN will need to be on duty at all times. 

Other changes to the PSS requirements include:

• General Practices will need to demonstrate the use of clinical audit, significant event audits and the development of guidelines and protocols around clinical governance. 
• At all accreditation levels there are new requirements on the provision of infection control, including risk-based deep cleaning and the minimisation of cross-infection.
• Animal owners will have to provide signed consent to demonstrate they understand the level of overnight care that will be provided for their animals as in-patients. Core Standards practices will need to have provisions to ensure the welfare of patients if left unattended overnight, whilst Veterinary Hospitals, now need protocols and checklists for handovers between day and night teams.
• General Practices will now need to have a computerised Practice Management System, with records being accessible from and transferable between all branches. They will need to provide written discharge instructions and show regular recording of bodyweight and Body Condition Score.
• There are several changes to the requirements for surgical facilities and protocols, including the need to avoid any outdoor clothing or footwear in the operating theatre for practices accredited at General Practice level. There are further requirements for the investigation of surgical site infections, including the use of bacteriology for General Practice and Veterinary Hospital accredited practices. Surgical lighting is required for Core Standards practices, and must be directable for General Practice level.

The full list of changes to the Practice Standards Scheme, together with the new module and award documents, can be found at: www.rcvs.org.uk/PSSreview.

David Ashcroft leads the team of PSS Assessors responsible for undertaking practice visits and assessing if they meet the required standards. He said: “The changes will come into force later in the year, at the same time as we are planning to return to in-person assessments, and so timings will be subject to government guidance on coronavirus and the easing of lockdown restrictions.

“As the PSS returns to in-person assessments, practices will have the usual three-month period between booking the assessment and the assessment taking place with which to familiarise themselves with the changes and the modules documents relevant to their accreditation.

“If anyone has any questions about the changes then please make sure to contact the Practice Standards Team on pss@rcvs.org.uk and we will be happy to help in any way we can.”

Pets at Home has announced the acquisition of the joint venture practice business, Vets4Pets, adding 93 stand-alone veterinary practices to the 116 in-store practices it already operates under the Companion Care brand.

Providing veterinary and grooming services to consumers is seen as the way for the retailer to overcome competition from the Internet.

Nick Wood, CEO of Pets at Home said: "The expansion of our veterinary business is a key element of our growth strategy for Pets at Home, providing additional services to our customers within our stores or close to our customers' homes. The acquisition of Vets4Pets is an important step in the delivery of this strategy. Vets4Pets is highly complementary to Companion Care, sharing fundamental beliefs and values, and is an excellent strategic fit for Pets at Home. I am delighted that Peter Watson has agreed to stay with the business. His knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we continue to build our veterinary business with both stand-alone and in-store practices. He will work closely with Jane Balmain, the Managing Director of our Companion Care business as we integrate the two businesses."

Peter Watson, Founder and CEO of Vets4Pets said: "Pets at Home holds a unique place in the retail landscape, built on a strong identity and a real passion for people and pets. It is clear to me that Nick and his team have a similar vision for their veterinary business. I'm delighted to be working with Nick to continue to expand the veterinary business by offering attractive joint venture opportunities for vets in stand alone locations to complement the offering in Pets at Home stores."

Companion Care MD, Jane Balmain added: "Companion Care and Vets4Pets each enjoy a strong reputation among both vets and customers. Both businesses have a common business model, offering joint venture partnerships with vets. I am looking forward to working alongside Peter as we bring the businesses together, continue to expand our joint venture partnerships and accelerate our growth."

Vets4Pets' UK operational centre will remain in the East Midlands, with its support functions being split between Companion Care's operation in Oxfordshire and Vets4Pets' Guernsey office.

The RCVS Disciplinary Committee has refused an application by Kent-based Warwick Seymour-Hamilton to be restored to the Register in order to prescribe his own herbal treatments and to obtain peer review that would allow his treatments to be licensed.

This was the sixth time that Mr Warwick Seymour-Hamilton had applied for restoration after being removed from the Register in June 1994, the reasons for which related to the condition of his practice premises and his record-keeping following an inspection by the RCVS. His most recent restoration hearing took place in May 2017.

In his application Mr Seymour-Hamilton said that he wanted to be restored to the Register to aid his research into herbal medicines and, during the course of the hearing, he also challenged some of the evidence given to the Committee in the June 1994 hearing. In particular he challenged the assertion that his practice was open when it was inspected by the RCVS as, he submitted that, he had retired three weeks’ prior to the inspection due to ill-health. 

Mr Seymour-Hamilton told the Committee that he did not wish to return to clinical practice but wished to restore his membership of the RCVS in order to prescribe his own herbal treatments and to obtain peer review that would allow his treatments to be licensed. Furthermore, he produced, during the hearing, a continuing professional development (CPD) record card in which he had logged 1,438 hours of CPD in 2017.

In considering his application for restoration the Committee dismissed his challenge to the details of his original hearing in June 1994.

Ms Judith Way, Chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "The Committee has noted that this issue is ancient. It is not for this Committee to consider it. Moreover the finding of the Committee represents a determination which was not challenged by the applicant until one of the more recent restoration applications. He never appealed it. Nor did he attend at the original hearing. It acknowledges that the premises could well have been closed given their condition, but whether they were or not is not for it [the Committee] to decide. It is quite possible the applicant has persuaded himself of the position. This is not an issue which is a persuasive factor in this application."

Regarding Mr Seymour-Hamilton’s contention that he would use his RCVS registered status to further his research into herbal treatments Ms Way said: "The Committee accepted there were no direct public protection issues which caused it concern, although it did retain some anxiety that the applicant’s commitment to herbal medicine could govern the way in which he would wish to care for an animal. A more rounded veterinary approach, which involved a full evaluation of an animal’s condition, a coherent diagnosis and a subsequent discussion about treatment with the client is called for."

Turning to his CPD she added: "His CPD now has a bias for herbal medicine as does his extensive reading. The Committee was not satisfied that his skills are up-to-date and that he could practise veterinary medicine safely. The Committee was not satisfied that he would approach a sick animal with the full and rounded approach required of a veterinary surgeon. Nor did his confidence in this regard allay the concerns of the Committee. He expressed belief in himself on the basis of his practice which came to an end some 24 years ago."

The Committee did acknowledge that Mr Seymour-Hamilton’s removal from the Register had a considerable impact on him and that, not only is he ashamed of it, but he believes it is frustrating his ability to advance the cause of herbal medicine.

In conclusion, Ms Way said: "Taking all these matters into account, the Committee has concluded that the applicant has not satisfied it on all of the evidence that he is fit to be restored to the Register and so this application is refused."

The University of Bristol's School of Biological Sciences has published* the results of a study which concludes that young dogs and those that are not wormed regularly are significantly more likely to be infected with the life-threatening, parasitic lungworm, Angiostrongylus vasorum.

In the independent study, which was led by Dr. Eric Morgan,  the faeces of 900 dogs was tested to look for factors which may increase a dog's risk of infection and to identify signs of infection. Lungworm was found to be a common cause of disease in Southwest England and Wales - 16 per cent of dogs presenting symptoms tested positive for lungworm, as well as 2 per cent of seemingly healthy dogs.  However, this is likely to be an underestimate. Dr Morgan said: "We used the Baermann's test to identify infected dogs, which is thought to be only 50% accurate, so the true figures may be as much as double those reported."

Dogs under 18 months were found to be 8 times more likely to have lungworm than dogs over 8 years old, and dogs between 18 months and 8 years old were 4 times more likely to have lungworm than dogs over 8 years old.  Dogs tested positive for lungworm year-round but there was an increase in numbers diagnosed during the winter and spring.

According to Dr. Morgan, infected dogs may display a wide range of symptoms: while over half of infected dogs were reported to be coughing or having difficulty breathing, lungworm infection is not always associated with respiratory signs. Infected dogs may present any combination of a wide range of symptoms including lethargy, tiring easily with exercise, and gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting and diarrhoea.  A significant number of infected dogs displayed signs of bleeding disorders such as excessive bleeding from small wounds or following surgery, blood in the urine and vomit, pale skin and bleeding in the eyes and skin.

Dr. Morgan added: "This parasite is spreading, reaching many new areas (including Bristol and Scotland) in the last few years.  Disease can present in a variety of ways, not necessarily involving respiratory signs, so pet owners and their vets should be aware of the risk.  Disease is most common in younger dogs, though age is not a barrier to infection.  On the bright side, dogs that are treated regularly with appropriate wormers are at lower risk, so we can act to protect our pets' health."

*Morgan, E. R., Jefferies, R., van Otterdijk, L., McEniry, R. B., Allen, F., Bakewell, M. and Shaw, S. E. 2010. Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in dogs: Presentation and risk factors. Veterinary Parasitology. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.06.037

Animalcare has announced that its Pentobarbital product, Pentoject, will be back in wholesalers in February. 

The company says a combination of unprecedented demand for the product and logistics issues, together with an issue involving the manufacturer of the active ingredient, has resulted in a delay in receiving stock into the UK.

Animalcare says it has a shipment awaiting dispatch to the UK from its European manufacturing plant as soon as licensing is completed by the VMD, Home Office and European counterparts. There is another batch in production, expected into the UK in early March.

Kai Crawshaw, Product Manager at Animalcare, said: "We are working hard with the VMD and Home Office to expedite the import licensing process and also with our manufacturer to ensure we can get as much stock as quickly as possible back into the marketplace. We sincerely apologise to any clinics that are experiencing a shortage but are glad to say that stock is on the way."

Boehringer Ingelheim has launched an online educational hub to help practices use a risk-based approach to responsible parasiticide prescribing in their practice.

whatstherisk.co.uk has been created for all practice staff and contains advice from parasitologists Ian Wright and Eric Morgan.

Topics include advice on practical risk assessments, how risk-based prescribing can work with health plans as well as how to get owners involved to make risk assessment and personalised prescribing quicker and simpler.

Boehringer says that all the materials and advice have been developed in line with RCVS Practice Standards and the BVA's guidance on the responsible use of parasiticides.^1,2

Sharron Woods, NexGard brands Franchise Manager said: “With knowledge about parasitic risk low among dog owners, alongside increasing scrutiny on the potential overuse of parasiticides, we’re delighted to be at the forefront of supporting vets, pet owners and the wider industry in driving best-practice risk assessment and responsible parasite control."

References

1. PSS Small Animal Modules and Awards (V3.2). Available at www.rcvs.org.uk/document-library/small-animal-modules. Accessed July 2023.
2. Responsible use of parasiticides for cats and dogs: The five point plan | British Veterinary Association (bva.co.uk). Available at https://www.bva.co.uk/resources-support/medicines/responsible-use-of-parasiticides-for-cats-and-dogs-the-five-point-plan/. Accessed July 2023.

The RCVS and the BVA have issued a joint statement to help the veterinary profession interpret the guidance released by Government on 19 March about who qualifies as ‘key workers’ in relation to the closure of schools.

The relevant section of the Government advice states: "This [key worker status] includes those involved in food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery, as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (for example hygienic and veterinary medicines)."

The RCVS/BVA statement, which is intended to help veterinary surgeons decide whether or not they can claim ‘key worker’ status and ask for their children to continue to be taken into schools, reminds veterinary surgeons to consider the wider societal picture and ensure that they only claim ‘key worker’ status if absolutely necessary.

The statement also stresses that the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct responsibility of the veterinary surgeon to take steps to provide 24-hour emergency first aid and pain relief to animals according to their skills and the specific situation continues, and veterinary practices will need to continue to carry out this work. It is important that animal owners are able to focus on their own health, and not need to worry about their pets. Both the RCVS and BVA believe that veterinary surgeons who are providing this essential work can be considered key workers.

The statement in full is as follows:

Veterinary surgeons as key workers in relation to school closures

RCVS and BVA appreciate that veterinary surgeons will feel a great deal of uncertainty at the present time, and that many will be facing considerable difficulties due to the closure of schools for most pupils.

The official government advice can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision.

The guidance emphasises that if children can be at home then they should be, in order to help to prevent the virus from spreading.

The government has granted key worker status by sector rather than profession. Some veterinary work will definitely fall into the ‘key worker’ category. RCVS and BVA are therefore providing some additional advice below, following consultation with the UK Chief Veterinary Officer:

• Vets carrying out work linked to food production
  Veterinary surgeons working in food production from ‘farm to fork’ are considered to be key workers. This includes:
  1. Farm vets
  2. Official Veterinarians working in the food chain, including abattoir and other related inspection and certification work
• Vets working in emergency care
  The responsibility of the veterinary surgeon to take steps to provide 24-hour emergency first aid and pain relief to animals according to their skills and the specific situation continues, and veterinary practices will need to continue to carry out this work. It is important that animal owners are able to focus on their own health, and not need to worry about their pets. Veterinary surgeons who are providing this essential work can be considered key workers.
• Other companion animal practice work
  In light of the Government guidance published on 19 March it is not clear that veterinary surgeons working in companion animal practice can be considered key workers. Veterinary surgeons should consider the possibility of reputational damage to the profession if vets doing work which could be regarded as non-essential claim key worker status at this time, given that we are facing a public health emergency. Anyone doing so must be confident that their claim to key worker status is defensible. Practices may need to rationalise their work and ultimately this must be a decision for individual veterinary surgeons and veterinary practices.

Summary
At this time the provision of public health and the maintenance of food production need to take priority, and veterinary surgeons working in these areas should be considered key workers.

Veterinary surgeons working in emergency care can also be considered key workers. This will not apply to every veterinary surgeon in clinical practice, and practices may need to consider rationalising their services to achieve this.

The guidance has been welcomed by both the BSAVA and BEVA. David Mountford, Chief Executive of BEVA said: "As veterinary professionals we are duty-bound to provide essential care, relieve suffering and protect the health of the public. Recognition as key workers in such circumstances is welcomed but we would encourage vets to only add to the burden faced by schools where animal welfare is at risk and all other avenues have been explored."

Unite, the largest trade union in the country, has announced that up to 17,000 members of the UK veterinary profession could become members within the next five years, following the establishment of the British Veterinary Union (BVU)

The union says it will be able to give veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, practice managers, support staff and students in all disciplines, the additional muscle to tackle employment problems in the workplace, such as pay, contracts, bullying and professional development.

Unite's General Secretary, Len McCluskey said: 'As a progressive trade union, Unite warmly welcomes BVU into the Unite family. The fact that a highly-regarded profession is looking to Unite for support in employment matters is an indication of the validity and relevance of trade unions in 2011 Britain.'

Dr Shams Mir, Chairman, Professional Advisory Committee, British Veterinary Union in Unite said: 'Our biggest challenge will be to change the mindset of our profession to address the deep-trenched problems of working conditions and terms of employment for vets and nurses, and safeguarding their professional status. But, most importantly, we have to overcome the sense of fear amongst veterinary professionals in raising legitimate employment issues.'

'Veterinary professionals face the same problems in their working lives as any other health professionals, but never before have vets had a trade union to support and represent them. BVU in Unite is a great opportunity for the profession to develop and expand, and is a goal that many have aspired to for years. We believe that up to 17,000 veterinary professionals could join BVU in Unite in the next five years.'

Dr Mir said that research has revealed that vets suffer from much higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms and they are five times more likely to have suicidal thoughts and four times more likely to commit suicide compared to the general UK population.

He said: 'Sadly, according to the most recent Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' survey of the profession, nearly half of the responding vets and nurses said that if they had their time again, they would choose a different profession.'

'This is a wake-up call for our profession and we must act to address all the underlying problems leading to this situation.'

Further information is available at: www.bvu.org.uk and www.unitetheunion.org/bvu

The Animal Health Trust (AHT) has - in partnership with UK and Icelandic research and veterinary institutions - helped identify the cause of a mystery respiratory disease epidemic which infected Iceland’s native horse population and also dogs, cats and humans.

The epidemic of respiratory disease in early 2010 was characterised by coughing and nasal discharge.

The disease spread through the population of 77,000 Icelandic horses within weeks, leading to a self-imposed ban on their export and significant economic cost to the country.

Initially, due to the speed at which the disease had spread, a viral cause was suspected. However, investigations by researchers at the University of Iceland showed that only Streptococcus zooepidemicus was consistently recovered from coughing horses and rare fatal cases of infection. However, this bacterium is also often found in healthy horses.

The AHT and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute were brought in to investigate. Dr Simon Harris from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute said: "To identify the culprit, we sequenced the DNA from 257 samples of bacteria from diseased animals and people. This showed that one specific strain of S. zooepidemicus, called ST209, was the likely culprit, and we also found this strain in a human case of blood poisoning. This study highlights, for the first time, how DNA sequencing can be used to identify endemic strains of bacteria and distinguish them from the cause of an epidemic infection."

Iceland is free of all major equine infectious diseases thanks to the ban on the importation of horses into the country in 1882. Consequently, Icelandic horses are particularly susceptible to any new bacteria or virus that crosses the border, and so strict biosecurity regulations are in place to help protect them.

Dr. Sigríður Björnsdóttir of the MAST Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority, used information from owners and veterinary surgeons to build an epidemiological network. This enabled her to identify an equine rehabilitation centre where horses exercised in a water treadmill. The water treadmill is thought to have provided the perfect conditions for transmitting the disease as water was splashed up and ingested. Horses would complete their rehabilitation and return home, whilst incubating the disease, taking the infection with them.

The ST209 strain of S. zooepidemicus found in Iceland has also been recovered from a coughing horse in Sweden and an abdominal abscess in a Finnish horse trainer.

Dr Andrew Waller, Head of Bacteriology at the AHT, said: "There are a couple of theories as to how the strain entered Iceland. These bacteria are able to survive outside a horse for a week or so, which means the import of contaminated equipment or clothing is the most likely route by which ST209 entered Iceland. However, this particular strain could have even infected a human who travelled to Iceland, before spreading the strain back to a horse and triggering the epidemic.

"We are delighted to have helped uncover the likely identity of the cause of this epidemic. Our investigation highlights the ability of S. zooepidemicus strains to cause disease in animals and people. We found evidence that even endemic strains of S. zooepidemicus were likely causing cases of respiratory disease in Icelandic horses, illustrating that this group of bacteria causes more clinical problems in horses than was previously thought. We hope that raising awareness of the cause of this epidemic, and the likely involvement of a water treadmill as a key factor in disease transmission, will encourage veterinarians around the world to improve disease control precautions preventing future epidemics."

DEFRA has granted a permit allowing the use of Bultavo 3, Boehringer Ingelheim's new vaccine against bluetongue virus serotype 3 in sheep and cattle. 

The current strain of bluetongue emerged in the Netherlands in 2023 and spread rapidly, infecting over 5,000 livestock farms.

Infection of livestock with this serotype of the virus can result in severe clinical signs and high mortality rates¹, significantly impacting animal health, and farming communities.

Bultavo 3 is an inactivated injectable vaccine indicated for the active immunisation against BTV-3.

Boehringer says that in sheep, Bultavo 3 has been shown to significantly reduce viraemia and prevent mortality and clinical signs associated with BTV-3 infection.

Onset of immunity occurs three weeks after administration of a single 1ml subcutaneous dose in sheep.

In cattle, two 1ml intramuscular doses are required, at a three-week interval.

Findlay MacBean, Head of Livestock, UK and Ireland at Boehringer Ingelheim, said: “It’s great news that we can support farmers and authorities in their fight against bluetongue with our new BTV-3 vaccine, Bultavo 3. 

"As we have seen across Europe, and now in the UK, BTV can spread rapidly and causes considerable stress to farmers because of the significant financial impact on those affected.

The availability of Bultavo 3 means future BTV-3 outbreaks can be suppressed, helping farmers protect not only their herds, but also their livelihoods.” 
 
Oli Maxwell, BVSc BSc(Hons) MVM DipECBHM, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Cattle Health and Production and Clinical Director of Green Counties Vets said: “Farmers are justifiably concerned about BTV-3 and its incursion into the UK again this year.

"Reports from colleagues on the continent regarding the severity of clinical signs, especially in sheep are worrying.

"We have seen a huge increase in clients asking about the disease, progress on a vaccine and what this may mean for animal movements at a critical time of year. 

"The availability of a safe and effective vaccine as a critical tool against a disease that we can’t reasonably prevent with biosecurity measures will be a welcome development for many.”

To manage supply and demand, use of the product will initially be subject to geographical restriction with vaccination permitted in high-risk English counties: Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent and East Sussex.

Reference:

1. Inge Santman Berends and René Van der Brom, AHDB technical Webinar 7th of February 2024, Bluetongue virus technical webinar - Insights from the Netherlands on the 2023 outbreak - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsQkBPkJImg