The launch of a vaccine to tackle Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in sheep and cattle was welcomed by the Farmers’ Union of Wales animal health and welfare committee chairman Catherine Nakielny today.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate has now issued MSD Animal Health with a licence to provide the new “Bovilis SBV” vaccine and UK farmers will be the first in the EU with access to this vaccine which will help protect sheep and cattle against birth defects caused by SBV.
“This is fantastic news for the farming community. The vaccine means that farmers can vaccinate sheep and cattle before most of them become pregnant, which is important as it is during early pregnancy when exposure to the virus can cause damage to the foetus,” said Dr Nakielny.
“Despite the vaccine, I would reiterate the warning we put out in January that all farmers in Wales need to be on the lookout for any unusually high incidences of abortion or congenital abnormalities - deformed lambs, swollen heads, weak lambs etc.
“There have been 1,753 confirmed cases of SBV throughout the UK and this virus has been detected in every county in England and Wales, so we are pleased that farmers will now have the choice to opt for vaccination against this disease and we would like to urge farmers to discuss vaccination with their vet at the earliest opportunity,” added Dr Nakielny.
There is no known risk to human health from SBV but the advice for pregnant women remains to be cautious around farm animals and to follow strict hygiene procedures, the union stressed.
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Farmers’ Union of Wales animal health and welfare committee chairman Catherine Nakielny[/caption]