TREATMENT AND PREVENTION
Vaccines have been developed by several animal health companies and against various BTV serotypes. Fort Dodge currently manufacture vaccine for both cattle and sheep covering BTV 8,4,1.
EU legislation on bluetongue permits the use of live attenuated vaccines or inactivated vaccines. All products developed for Europe are inactivated vaccines.
In 2007 the European Commission announced their decision to co-fund bluetongue vaccination campaigns with 100% of the cost of the vaccine and 50% towards the administration costs. For the funding to be made available a compulsory vaccination policy with administration conducted by veterinary surgeons has to be implemented.
During 2008 an EU wide mass vaccination programme has been set up for cattle and sheep located within the bluetongue protection Zones.
PREVENTION STRATEGY
Vaccination
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| Vaccination can effectively control the spread of bluetongue. Vaccination should be carried out prior to the beginning of the risk period, the start of Culicoides activity. As many susceptible animals as possible should be vaccinated within the risk area. Although sheep typically show more severe signs of bluetongue than cattle, both sheep and cattle should be vaccinated to reduce the risk of disease spread. |
What are the benefits of vaccination?
Benefits to farmers:
- Protecting stock from impact of BT
- Reducing losses and welfare problems
- Reducing chronic effects (lameness, milk production, weight loss)
- Reducing risk of abortions and birth defects
- Facilitating movement and trade of vaccinated animals
Benefits to the livestock industry:
- Limiting disease spread geographically
- Avoid experience in Northern Europe in 2007
- Potential for long term eradication of disease
Zulvac 8 Bovis vaccination schedule:
Summary of product characteristics
Control of the vector:
Control of Culicoides midges can be partly achieved by measures to restrict their access to livestock by, for example, moving dung heaps at least 50m away from animals or reducing the availability of breeding sites by covering dung heaps with watertight plastic sheeting, improving pasture drainage and removal of silage effluent. Insecticides are another simple and effective method of reducing midge populations.
Insecticides:
Insecticides such as the synthetics pyrethroids (SPs) may be used in and around animal housing or directly applied to livestock (for example Dysect Pour-On) to help control midges. SPs have an insecticidal action by inhibiting nerve transmission in insects and also a repellent action.
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