Bluetongue vaccination: Farmers urged to take care

Bluetongue (BT) is a disease affecting all ruminants including sheep, cattle, deer and goats.  It is caused by a virus spread by certain types of biting midge but does not affect humans.

DEFRA has produced a contingency plan outlining a BT control strategy for the UK, including a BT vaccination plan.  It is anticipated that vaccine will be available in May 2008, and that one dose of vaccine will be required for sheep and two in cattle.  Thereafter, an annual dose may be required.

Farmers and other livestock handlers who are likely to vaccinate their stock against BT are advised to follow safe working practices in order to reduce the risk of injury or ill health to themselves or other workers arising during vaccination activities.

Control measures include the need for proper restraint of the animal to be treated, the use of needle guards or protectors to reduce the risk of accidental self-injection, disinfection devices to reduce the risks of bacterial infection from contact with "dirty" needles and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment.

Livestock should always be handled and restrained properly.  For example, to administer vaccines to cattle, use suitable handling facilities incorporating a race and a crush.

Guidance on safe working practices can be found in the HSE leaflet 'Veterinary medicines -  safe use by farmers and other animal handlers'. For advice on handling systems see Agricultural Information Sheet AIS35 'Handling and housing cattle'

For up-to-date information on bluetongue see the DEFRA website at www.defra.gov.uk
A number of BT information meetings (roadshows) for farmers and livestock handlers are being held at venues around the country.  See www.nationalsheep.org.uk for details of events run by The National Sheep Association and www.nfuonline.com for those organised by NFU regional offices.