Schmallenberg Vaccine not Ready in Time
EU - Despite significant progress being made into a Schmallenberg vaccine, one will not be ready in time for the breeding season, putting more animals at risk from infection.
8 August 2012
1 minute read
This week it was reported that the virus had overwintered in the UK, and other parts of Europe, which means that the virus is still circulating.
Carl Padgett, President of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) said: The fact that the virus is circulating now will be of particular concern in those areas that were previously unaffected, as the animals will not have immunity and farmers face the loss of lambs and calves.
“Despite likely immunity in previously infected areas the protectiveness of this remains unknown and so we must be watchful for new cases in the currently infected areas.
"This underlines the importance surveillance, monitoring and reporting. It is important to emphasise that at this stage we have only seen evidence of the virus circulating in a small number of animals and so we need to keep the situation under review.
“Work on a vaccine is progressing well but it is unlikely to be available for some months. In the meantime farmers and vets must continue to share as much information as possible to continue to progress our understanding.”
TheCattleSite News Desk
