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   Home The Farm BLUETONGUE Bluetongue - Northern Europe ELA Position Paper ELA Conference Report - Dr. Ruth Watkins Bluetongue - What will happen? What should we do? - Dr. Ruth Watkins - October 2007 Bluetongue Vaccination Serotype 8 - A proposal for discussion - Dr. Ruth Watkins Bluetongue Vaccination Policy - Dr. Ruth Watkins - November 2007 Bluetongue - Vaccine Tenders invited Bluetongue The NFU Meeting at Newmarket - Report 12th January 2008 Why DEFRA proposes a Voluntary Vaccination Plan 'About Bluetongue' Meeting Report Dr. Ruth Watkins' talk at the 'About Bluetongue' meeting in Scotland - 22nd February 2008 Virus, Tests, Slaughter Explained Bluetongue vaccination of livestock under one month old Reporting problems following BTv8 vaccination Bluetongue Vaccination, Fertility and Abortions 'Bluetongue, Imports and Vaccination' Bluetongue Europe Map - 5th September 2008 Bluetongue - IAH Clarification on Vaccines Efficacy and Lab Interpretation

 

The Farm - Bluetongue  

Bluetongue in France 2008 (latest situation) - Click here!
 Bluetongue in Europe Map - 5th September 2008 - Click here!
Bluetongue - Imports and Vaccination - Click here!
The Agenda for the SCoFCAH meeting today (3rd September 2008) (.pdf 33.97KB (34787 bytes) - Click here!
Bluetongue-Where Does Bluetongue Virus Sleep in the Winter? (August 2008) - Click here! 
Bluetongue-Diagnosis-The Veterinary Laboratories Agency (July 2008) (726.32KB (743747 bytes) - Click here!
Bluetongue-Vector Free Periods, Repellants & Protection Measures (June 2008) - Click here!
Bluetongue-EFSA Scientific Report (April 2007)- Click here!

 
Please note:

Bluetongue - This disease can cause infertility (as can any serious viral disease).
A vaccination may cause a slight rise in temperature but that is soon recovered from and often not noticed.
The Bluetongue vaccine is a 'killed' vaccine and cannot cause any symptoms of the disease such as infertility. Don't believe the rumours and - 'Don't hesitate - vaccinate!'

A simple explanation:
All viral diseases can cause a high temperature in all mammals, (including humans).
In order to conserve essential moisture when that occurs, lactating mammals will suffer a drop in milk yield or may dry-up altogether. In severe cases, pregnant mammals may also abort their foetus and some will die.
If the fever and disease is mild and the mammal fully recovers, lactation and fertility will return.
If the infection and disease is severe they may never fully recover normal lactation or fertility and may suffer from weakness in other organs for their remaining life.
The Bluetongue virus can cause all the above in ruminant animals.

The Bluetongue vaccine is a 'killed' vaccine. It cannot cause the disease or any of its side effects but it can trigger the creation of antibodies to the virus and within two weeks full immunity will be achieved and the vaccinated animals will be protected and immune to the disease.
This immunity will fade over time, so re-vaccination which will boost their immunity will be necessary while a risk of infection remains. So, please... Don't hesitate - vaccinate!

IMPORTANT: It is not known if Bluetongue vaccine is compatible with other vaccines. It is recommended that a minimum of fourteen (14) days should elapse, either before or after, vaccinating your livestock to prevent Bluetongue and vaccinating them to prevent other diseases. This is the normal procedure for the administration of vaccines and no product should be misused. Please see the data sheet for all vaccines or other treatments and contact their manufacturers for further advice - Click here!

For BT Vaccine specific FAQs from Intervet - Click here!

VIDEOS and PICTURES: How to beat bluetongue this summer -  Click here!

Not to be missed!

Everything you ever wanted to know about Bluetongue! 
The Videos Show you -
The Disease - Diagnosis -  How to Treat  &  How to Vaccinate!
Bluetongue Intervet web site launched! -  Click here!
Bluetongue Poster :
A4 - 'Don't Hesitate-Vaccinate' (367.40KB (376218 bytes) - Click here!

NFU - Video BT Vaccination - Click here!
Scotland compulsory Bluetongue vaccination - Click here!

Merial's Bluetongue Vaccine - BTVPUR AlSap™ 8
Information for farmers and vets - Click here!

Order Form for Bluetongue Poster, Postcards and Postcard Dispenser (86.46KB (88538 bytes) - Click here!
Video Information -

Symposium on Bluetongue Brescia Italy - 7th June 2008
Program and Abstracts -  (.pdf 8577.56KB (8783417 bytes) - Click here!
Dr. Toon Meesters - A vet from Holland - Click here!
Dr. Chris Oura from Pirbright - Click here! 
Julian Dare from the Westpoint Veterinary Group - Click here!
Maternal Infection  (.pdf 356.75KB (365310 bytes) - Click here!
The Bluetongue Vaccination Plan - Click here! 
Why DEFRA proposes a Voluntary Vaccination Plan - Click here! 
The Bluetongue Order - Click here!
Bluetongue Surveillance Zone Premises - Click here!
Bluetongue Zones and Map - Click here!

Bluetongue Vaccination Roadshows for Vets Only!

Intervet is arranging a special series of evening meetings for vets with the BVA.
Providing an updated overview of the disease, its control & details of the vaccine.
Speakers: include a vet from Intervet, a BVA representative & the BVA President, Mr Nick Blayney.
In addition to providing information and support materials, the meetings should be seen as an opportunity to discuss regional vaccination policies with colleagues practising nearby.
Booking: To book places - Click here! or through Intervet account managers.

The meetings are as follows:

April

All meetings start at 19:30 

Buffet supper provided!
Monday 14th  WVG, Dawes Farm, Warnham, near Horsham
Tuesday 15th  Salisbury Auction Market, Netherhampton, Salisbury
Tuesday 15th  VLA Bury St Edmunds, Rougham Hall, Bury St Edmunds
Thursday 16th  White Hart Hotel, Okehampton
Friday 17th Best Western Gables Hotel, Bristol Road, Falfield
Monday 21st The Royal Oak Hotel, The Cross, Welshpool
Tuesday  22nd  The Grosvenor-Pulford Hotel, Wrexham Road, Pulford, Chester
Thursday 24th Best Western Dower House Hotel, Bone End, Knaresborough
Bluetongue: Vaccination Planning - Click here!

On 19th December, Defra announced that it is placing a firm order with pharmaceutical company Intervet to supply 22.5 million doses of Bluetongue vaccine. We understand the first batch of vaccine will arrive in May
In the meantime, DEFRA are considering possible vaccination plans so that they are fully prepared for when vaccine is delivered. To support this process, they have set up a Bluetongue Vaccination Working Group with representatives from the devolved administrations, the farming industry, veterinary organisations and scientific experts on Bluetongue. The group has been set up to support the purchase of vaccine and work on the practical details of a vaccination delivery plan, which must be submitted to the Commission for approval by the end of January 2008. Minutes from these meetings are available below:
23rd January - awaiting report publication
08th January 2008 (19.9 KB) - Click here!
12th December 2007 (23.6 KB) - Click here!
29th November 2007 (17.16 KB) - Click here!
23rd November 2007 (14.41 KB) - Click here!
07th November 2007 (18.8 KB) - Click here!
23rd October 2007 (19.2 KB) - Click here!
11th October 2007 (18.2 KB) - Click here!

Bluetongue Vaccination -  
Video Clip from NFU Conference at the IAH - Click here!
Impact of Bluetongue on Livestock IAH - Click here!
Information/Presentation from the IAH - Click here!
(.pdf 5245.05KB 5370929 bytes)  
Information - Including the discussions and speeches at the EU's Bluetongue Conference in Brussels on 16th January 2008 can be found here - Click here!
The EU Bluetongue Conference - Deciding the BT Vaccination Policy takes place in Brussels today, 16th January 2008 - For the Agenda - Click here!
The NFU Meeting at Newmarket - Report 12th January 2008 - Click here!
Farmtalking - About Bluetongue Meeting - Scotland - Click here!
The Bluetongue Order No: 2 (Statutory Instrument 2007 (No:3304)
(Coming into force 23rd November 2007)- Click here!
Dr. Ruth Watkins' Bluetongue Vaccination Policy - Click here!
Dr. Ruth Watkins' A BT Vaccination policy for England and Wales for discussion. - Click here!
Dr. Ruth Watkins' Bluetongue Vaccination - What will happen? What should we do? - Click here!
Bluetongue Order 2007 (02/11/ 2007)  (.pdf 35.35KB (36202 bytes) - Click here!
Vaccine - possible Use of BT vaccine in Europe - Click here!
Petition to the Prime Minister calling for Bluetongue Vaccination now - Click here!  
Petition result - Click here!  
Defra's Information about this disease and the control policy - Click here!
DEFRA's Bluetongue Control Strategy (.pdf 73.18KB (74937 bytes) - Click here!
DEFRA's Bluetongue Contingency plan (.pdf 42.98KB (44012 bytes) - Click here!
DEFRA - Confirms Bluetongue outbreak - 28/09/07 - Click here!  
DEFRA - Letter from Animal Health to livestock keepers - Click here! 
DEFRA - Map of Bluetongue Surveillance and Protection Zones - Click here!

Web Sites

For more information about Bluetongue Vaccination - Please Click here!
We draw your attention to the ELA's published position paper - Please Click here!

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Last updated - October 02, 2008