BTV8 - Update

BTV 8

 Merial’s first delivery of BTV 8 vaccine is now being distributed in the PZ and will be available in the new part of the zone tomorrow (Thursday) morning. Fort Dodge has been granted a licence for its cattle vaccine by VMD, but does not have a supply of vaccine available for UK yet.

 The PZ is now moving into what was the Free Area (FA). It is important to get vaccine and administer it to breeding animals as soon as possible;

 Within the PZ animals may move freely, so an infected animal can be moved from Kent to Yorkshire. The theory that the virus is a long way away could be a very expensive mistake. The vaccine roll out plan in England allows every one to protect their animals and frees up movement for trade.

In 2008 in East Anglia animals are widely spread so it was not easy for virus to move, in Northern England in the wall to wall livestock areas the virus will spread very quickly and easily.

Vaccinate before virus is found to have been circulating, once we see it circulating it will be well in front of us and whilst vaccination will help it will be very much better done before circulation is apparent. A stitch in time.

France is now experiencing over 1,000 cases per week with equally nasty figures in Southern Germany, Holland and Belgium. It will be a miracle if England does not see it this month.

A European sheep farmer said last week; he lost 60% of his 1,000 breeding ewes last year and nursed the other 40% well enough to keep them alive. He said ‘at the time I felt that I had to do something but with hindsight I wish I had shot the 40%, the cost of nursing was huge and they were no use for breeding.’

It is a rich livestock keeper that can afford to take a hit from BTV8. Timely vaccination is a very good insurance policy.

DO NOT HESITATE  VACCINATE