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Cattle and sheep farmers in the UK now have access to vaccines to protect their animals against bluetongue disease. Boehringer Ingelheim’s Bultavo 3 and Virbac’s Syvazul BTV3 vaccines have been delivered, with Ceva Animal Health’s Bluevac-3 becoming available in mid-October. These vaccines have been approved for emergency use by Defra, with a general licence allowing their use in restricted zones (RZs) in England.

Livestock keepers in low-risk areas can apply for a specific licence from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha) to use the vaccine. While the vaccines can significantly reduce the impact of bluetongue virus BTV-3, they do not provide full immunity. One dose is required for sheep and two doses, three weeks apart, for cattle, with immunity developing three weeks post-administration.

Feedback from EU farmers using Bultavo 3 has been positive, with the vaccine preventing severe clinical symptoms and mortality in sheep. Although safe for pregnant cows and ewes, the safety of the vaccines in breeding males is uncertain. The cost of vaccination in the Netherlands and Germany has been around £8-£10 per animal.

Bluetongue is transmitted by infected midges blown over from the Continent to the UK. Farmers are advised to consult their vets about the pros and cons of vaccination, especially considering the uncertain weather conditions and the increasing number of confirmed cases in the UK. The Restricted Zone has been extended in eastern England due to confirmed cases, and farmers are urged to be cautious when moving animals within the zone to prevent further spread of the disease.

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