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>    FAQ about Bluetongue
What is the vaccine called?
The vaccine being released in May 2008 in the UK is called Bovilis BT8. It is being produced by Intervet

From what age can I use the vaccine?
In both sheep and cattle, the vaccine is licensed to use from one month of age

What is the vaccine dose?
Each dose of vaccine is 1 ml and should be injected under the skin.

How many doses do cattle and sheep need?
Cattle: Two initial doses make up the primary course, to be given three weeks apart
Sheep: The primary course is made up of one single dose

How long is the interval between doses for Cattle?
The two primary doses should be administered three weeks apart.

What about dosages for other species?
For species other than cattle and sheep you are advised to consult your vet as to the best course of action.

Can I use other vaccines at the same time as Bovilis BTV8?
Due to the speed that this product has been made available, work has not yet been done to establish the interactions with other vaccines. Therefore combining Bovilis BT8 with other vaccinations is not to be recommended.

My unit is in the Surveillance zone. Can I vaccinate now?
No. Only animals in the protection zone are allowed to be vaccinated. Once more than 80% of animals in this zone are vaccinated the zone will be extended, allowing your farm to receive vaccine. You can still pre-order vaccine through the practice at the early bird rate and we will supply you with vaccine as soon as we are allowed to by DEFRA.

Is the vaccine bottle breakable?
The vaccine is supplied in a collapsible plastic bottle which is harder to break.

What needles do I require to be able to administer the vaccine?
We are advising clients to use a sterimatic injector to administer the vaccine in order to minimise the chances of spreading disease. The vaccine is administered subcutaneously, so only short needles are required.

How long after taking the first dose does the vaccine last?
It will take 3 weeks from the last injection in the course before the animals immunity is protective against Bluetongue. For next year it is recommended that the vaccine is repeated 2 weeks before the start of every at risk period. In reality this means vaccinating annually in March.

What is the shelf life of the vaccine?
Once the vaccine vial is open, it must be used within 8 hours.

Do I need to keep it in the fridge?
Yes. The vaccine must be stored between +2 and +8C.

What do I do with excess vaccine?
Excess vaccine must be disposed of along with all normal farm clinical waste.

Can I share vaccine with a neighbour?
Please contact your vet to discuss making the most of the vaccine you will have and to avoid wasting doses where possible

Are there any withdrawal periods associated with Bovilis BT8?
Both milk and meat withdrawals for Bovilis BT8 in cattle and sheep are zero days. Organic units should check withdrawal periods with their regulating body.

I am an organic farmer. Can I still vaccinate?
The SOIL Association have said that all producers in the PZ are sufficiently at risk to justify vaccination. This should be written into herd health plans.

I want to vaccinate my calves but only have a few born every week, and I cant justify buying a whole vial at once. What should I do?
If you choose not to purchase vaccine for these calves, it may be worth consulting with neighbours to see if they have similar problems and (you can share a bottle) discuss the situation with your vet. If you feel that you will have enough calves born within a few weeks of each other it may be worth saving them up until there are enough to justify purchasing a vial. In this case, midge control will be very important for these unprotected calves.

What syringe should I use to vaccinate my animals?
A multi-dosing gun is available for vaccinating animals. These can be purchased through the practice.


Midge control

What is the best product for midge control?
For cattle, the only licensed product on the market with data showing that it is effective at controlling midges is called Swish.

For sheep, the only licensed products on the market with data showing that they are protective against midges are OP (Organo-Phosphate) dips.

Can I use other products containing Deltamethrin?
All products with containing Deltamethrin are formulated in slightly different ways. Currently the research has not been done to determine whether these products are effective in midge control. For this year, it is recommended that all cattle owners play safe and treat their stock with Swish.

How often do you need to apply Swish to control midges?
The latest research shows that Swish must be applied every four weeks.

Will Swish go off once Ive opened it?
The 2.5 l packs are fine to use for up to four years after opening. Smaller packs only remain stable for up to two years.

Does it help to keep animals inside?
Although this will not completely prevent transmission of the disease, it may have a part to play. Animals kept indoors early morning and in the evening may have a reduced level of midge exposure.

Do horses present an increased risk of midge bites?
Horses cannot get Bluetongue, but some species of midges do bite horses, leading to a condition called Sweet Itch. Therefore, if you have horses it is recommended that you keep their midge control up to date. Additionally, where you have horses, you also have horse manure which can be a breeding ground for midges (just like cow manure).

What is the best advice for midge control in sheep?
Swish is not licensed for use in sheep in this country. You are advised to consult with your veterinary surgeon.

Can Swish be applied to calves?
Yes, Swish can be applied from birth. Please consult the packaging for dose rates.

Does wool provide a barrier to midge bites/Is it worth delaying shearing?
The fleece of a sheep does provide a physical barrier for the sheep and therefore can reduce the number of midge bites. There are 2 practical choices; either sheer sheep now (therefore their fleece will be longer in the peak of the midge season at the end of the summer), or delay sheering animals until as late as possible this year. With either choice you must balance the protection the fleece provides with the welfare of the sheep as the weather warms up.

Animal Movements

What effects does this have on animal movement?
Movement of ruminants is only permissible within the same Bluetongue zone.

I intend to export my stock. How soon will I be able to do this after vaccination?
Only animals which have been vaccinated by a vet and certified by a vet can be exported. Please speak to your vet in advance, as the rules depend on where you want to export your stock to. Currently this includes moving stock to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

How soon after vaccination will I be able to move my animals out of the PZ?
It will be at least 60 days, but please check with your vet because the zones will change quickly over the summer.


Disease

What is Bluetongue?
Bluetongue is a viral disease that affects all ruminants. The disease gets its name from one of the signs that occur in the animal, a blue tongue. Not all infected animals will actually display a blue tongue.
Sheep are particularly susceptible to more serious forms of the disease, whereas the infection is often virulent in other ruminants such as cattle and goats. If cattle and goats do contract the disease they will generally ehibit milder signs. The disease is transmitted by the midge, Culicoides spp.

What signs are seen in cases of bluetongue?
Sheep: The signs in sheep are usually more severe. The disease nearly always begins with a high fever, followed by inflammation and pain in and around the mouth, which in turn causes salivation. Ulcers appear on the inside of the cheeks and the sides of the tongue, the oral mucosa becomes a reddish purple colour, and the tongue can turn blue. An accumulation of fluid can also cause some sheep to get swollen heads which can lead to a difficulty in breathing and eating. Lameness and weight loss are other common signs. Up to 45% of sheep that get the disease will die from it.
Cattle: The signs are comparable with those of sheep but in a milder form. Some cows become seriously ill and die, whereas others hardly exhibit any signs at all.
Goats:As with cattle, the signs are often mild.
Other ruminants: Again, these animals will generally display milder signs.
Long Term Effects: These can be very costly in all affected species. Abortion, still birth, chronic lameness, wool loss and fertility problems are but a few of the problems Bluetongue can leave behind in its wake.

How long does it take for signs to develop in infected animals?
Clinical signs are seen 3-5 days after an animal is infected by a bite from a midge carrying the virus.

What diseases may be mistaken for Bluetongue?
Differential diagnoses should include: acute photosensitisation, lameness due to footrot, foot abscess and other foot conditions, acute haemonchosis, scabby mouth, Oestrous ovis infestation, pneumonia, plant poisoning, salmonellosis, sheep pox, and FMD.

Is Bluetongue contagious?
Rumianants cannot directly infect one another, transmission is exclusively by a midge biting an infected animal and then an uninfected one. That said, the midge is not infectious until the virus has undergone replication within the midges body and so the midge is not immediately able to transmit disease after becoming infected.

How long does replication take in the midge?
This is greatly influenced by the type of midge and the temperature. Replication is unlikely to occur at temperatures below 10C

When are midges more likely to be a problem?
In the UK midges are active between June and mid-October, particularly at dusk and dawn. There may be increased activity on dull days and reduced activity on windy days. Climatic circumstances such as temperature and wind play an important role in the spreading of the midge and in its ability to transmit Bluetongue.

How can I prevent my animals becoming infected?
It is impossible to eradicate all disease carrying insects. Activity can be reduced by regular application of insecticides such as Butox Swish. This will lessen the chances of an animal being bitten by an infected midge. Keeping animals indoors at dusk and dawn will also help to reduce biting. A vaccine against Bluetongue serotype 8 is expected to be available from May 2008.

Where has Bluetongue come from?
Bluetongue serotype 8 was identified in Northern Europe last year. It has spread through the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Belgium. It is believed that infected midges were blown across the channel, bringing the disease to the UK.

Is there a slaughter policy for infected animals?
Animals are no longer being subjected to compulsory slaughter. We are recommending treatment for animals where possible.

Can humans also contract Bluetongue?
No. The disease affects ruminants only, and so no humans, dogs, cats, pigs, horses etc. can catch it.

Is it hard to control?
Yes. In addition to the difficulties in controlling the vector which carries the virus, a high percentage of animals can harbour the virus without showing signs.

How long do the animals remain infective?
Individual animals will exhibit signs for different periods of time but they can remain infective for a significant time. Cattle can carry the virus for up to 50 days, whilst sheep may carry the virus for up to 20 days. Most however, would be infectious for less than this time. The OIE specifies an infectious period of 100 days. In addition the virus appears to be able to over-winter in some animals, but the mechanism for this is not fully understood.

What do I do if I suspect the disease in one of my animals?
If you suspect the disease is present in any of your animals then you must report it. You can report directly to your local Animal Health Office (DEFRA). Alternatively you can contact your vet who will make a decision with you as to whether this is a likely case and will then report it for you.

Will I be shut down if I have an infected animal?
No. Unlike Bovine TB breakdowns, you will not have your herd shut down from one outbreak of disease.

>    National Cattle Mobility Event
Westpoint Veterinary Group are working with the MDC, Holstein UK, and the Universities of Bristol and Glasgow to organise the first ever National Cattle Mobility Event at Harper Adams on 19th April 2008. Further information and a Registration Form are available by calling the dedicated booking line on 07960 073052 or downloading the PDF form (800 Ko).

>    The Dairyman's Certificate
Herd health management has shown economic improvements of up to 4ppl, which is greater than any other management impact according to vet Matt Dobbs.

Mr Dobbs, of Westpoint Vet Group, was so concerned by the pressures facing herd managers and staff he has developed a new Dairymans Certificate training course, aimed at better equipping workers on todays dairy units. Due to the pace of change, herdspeople often dont receive training in modern production methods, the role of computers in livestock health and disease prevention strategies, he said.

Improving herdsperson training should improve both economic efficiencies on dairy farms and standards in dairy cow health and welfare, as is demanded by the wider community.

The Dairymans Certificate is relevant to herd managers and, in some instances, farm business owners. For example, delegates have included those running 250-cow herds, as well as managers of agricultural enterprises that incorporate significant dairy herds.

The Dairymans Certificate comprises 12 training sessions, held from 10am to 3.30pm and spread over the year. Training is a mix of tutorials and on-farm expert-led practical workshops.

Although Westpoint is the course co-ordinator, we have pulled in as many external expert speakers as possible, said Mr Dobbs. Each module will be taught by two tutors ranging from NMR/Interherd experts, AI and ET specialists and other specialist vets.

Farm health planning is a key component of Defras Animal Health and Welfare Strategy, which was launched in 2005. A key aim of this is for 90 per cent of farms in the UK to be health planning by 2014 and this training programme aims to help achieve this.

Being backed by Defra means we have been able to access certain funding, which means that each days training costs only £15 a head, although you do have to commit to the full course in order to qualify for the Dairymans Certificate.

Having spent time speaking to the major dairy recruitment businesses, they have all agreed to recognise the Dairymans Certificate as a qualification that demonstrates commitment and experience in individuals.

Over time, and as more people participate, we can anticipate the stage where the course is rolled out nationally and could even become formerly recognised by the industry, he said.