7/5/2008

Surrey Local News

Farmers urged to use bluetongue vaccine

FARMERS across Surrey are being told "Don't hesitate, vaccinate" following the release by the government of a bluetongue vaccine.

Because the whole of the county is under bluetongue controls, livestock keepers here and in other parts of the protection zone will be given priority when it comes to supply of the vaccine.

Its aim is to prevent any bluetongue infections this summer in cattle, sheep or goats.

Peter Denard, trading standards officer for the county council, said: “Vaccination is the only practical means of controlling this nasty disease that is spread by midges.

“The disease doesn’t affect food safety but when animals become infected they are caused to suffer as a result.

“It is important that all keepers remain vigilant for any symptoms of the disease and report suspicions to the county council’s animal health office.”

"High take-up"

Clinical signs of bluetongue disease in animals include nasal dishcarge, swelling of the head or neck, drooling and tiredness or lameness.

The first batch of three million doses of the vaccine were made available in the protection zone last week.

It can be ordered through veterinary surgeries and requires one dose in sheep and two doses, given three weeks apart, in cattle.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said "initial indications would suggest a high response to the early availability of vaccine and that take-up of vaccine is high".

The first two cases of bluetongue within Surrey itself were confirmed at the beginning of April.

First printed in: Surrey Advertiser Online

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