July 16, 2025

 

Wales, UK veterinary officer urges livestock vaccination against bluetongue

 

 

Farmers in Wales, the United Kingdom, are being urged to vaccinate their livestock to protect against bluetongue.

 

The warning comes from Angus Wyse, official veterinary officer for the NSA Wales & Border Ram Sales, who says it's not if, but when, bluetongue comes to Wales.

 

Wyse said: "When there is a disease that can cause you 70% mortality in your sheep and you can prevent it with one dose of vaccine, it just seems a no-brainer as an insurance policy.

 

"In Holland, it was so bad that the dead stock disposal services couldn't cope and there were piles of carcasses lying on farms. It will come in Wales. Midges aren't going to respect the border. It will come through midge activity, but movement restriction may prevent it moving further into Wales as quickly."

 

Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) has been identified as a particular threat, with Wyse noting its severe effects in sheep and high milk losses in cattle.

 

He added: "BTV-3 doesn't seem to be so severe in cattle, although it does carry a very high milk drop which in the intensive dairy industry is the biggest worry. It also seems to cause quite a bit of mortality in young calves because they are more susceptible. We're seeing some 50% milk drops in cows and they're not returning to full production in that lactation."

 

He also raised concerns about the ability of testing facilities to cope with a sudden surge in demand, especially during the peak breeding season.

 

The only UK laboratory able to test for the disease, located at Pirbright, can process only a few hundred samples per week.

 

Wyse said: "I'm concerned that the fact that Wales isn't a restricted area is giving farmers a false sense of security. Farmers are taking comfort in feeling they are not at risk.

 

"Vaccinate now, before you have a problem."

 

According to Wyse, cattle require two doses of vaccine "three weeks apart".

- County Times